COMPUTER USER
FEBRUARY 1 992
£1.65
THE BEST VALUE
i
*
The Quality Magazine for Users of CPC, GX4000 & CPC PIUS
M.GM
QUALTTY
EDJTORTAT.
9 77Q952"304020
0 2
GX40G0
CPC PLUS
ml
Look out • he's back!
No window is safe. Ho fence is too
high. The paperboy is determined
to deliver the paper to his
subscribers any way he can.
Tossing papers left and right, riding
in three directions, jumping
anything, this free-wheeling carrier
visits more neighbourhoods and
houses, faces more targets and
obstacles, in more vivid colours
than ever before,
Plus, rod stunt riding and BMX
tracks in bonus rounds. Choose to
ride os either Paperboy or
Papergirl too!
MINDSCAPE
For your local dealer, contact Mitidscape International Ltd, The Coach House, Hocklands Estate, Scopes Hill, West Sussex RH 1 7 7NG. Tel: D444 831 761
BrunWord
ROOT module £125
The BrunWgrc ROM Module is a compact unH which
pEugs directly onto the expansion socket of the
CPC6128 or 6126 Plus, It overcomes the memory
limitations ot the CPC cwnpvt-e-" by nco^Dorgtirig the
entire BrunWord Elite ^stern into ooe very high
capacity ROM (2S6K bytas-X The module measures
three inches wide, half an inch thick and extends
just (wo and a half inches behind *he computer.
On the ROM we have BrunWord Elite, Headline,
10 HeadHw fonts < including 'Cheimer 1 and 'Oadorf),
8 fonts tor downloading to a 24 pin printer,
BrunSpeJI, 30,000 word dictionary and Info-Script.
Second disc drives owners can ha*e KDS ROMDOS
added (not 61-28 pius) toe £15 extra, and remember
that no ROM bo* is needed.
Great Power
Plug on the module, switch ON the computer, type
!BW and the whole BrunWord Elfte system is In the
computer ready in r immediate use. You can type unto
the word processor, check the spelling print it out,
use the database to print labels or search tor and
transfer data 1o the word processor, print using
headline tonts and 24 pir>ionts, all wrtnout a sino>e
disc operation, except maybe to load data into
Info'Scriptn Any BrunWord Elite facility can be used
without upsetting other da*a. You can even view
screen dumps stored on disc, or format a 3 inch or
3.5 inch disc, without disturbing the text in BrunWord
or the data ; n nfo- Script,
Printing Pictures
The 6runWord ROM module has a host of new
features including five high quality, high speed
screen- dump routines for 9 pin and 24 pin printers,
These are special routines using the BrunWord EiSte
# hit orhter status port and they print incredibly
fast compared to desk top publishers. Thus entire
page including the drawing, the large 'BrunWord 1 ,
the address, credit card symbols and Teddy, was
printed using the BrunWord flQM module and a wide
carriage 24 pin printer in one printing operation.
Relative Reverse
For printers with reverse (Amstrad DMP216Q, Star
LC1G etc), there are now three reference points, The
top ot the page, Ihe current print head position and
any point previously defined within the 1e*t. The
print head can be moved to a relative position above
or betow any ot these references. This refinement
coupled, with tne new a&Jlify to contror the box
reverse, make complex layouts much easier to
design and give faster, more eflicient printouts.
Small and Light
The BrunWord ROM Module nas been made as small
and hght as possible, When mounted directly onto
the computer it is very very relrabit. You are Mkely
to damage Ihe keyboard if you jolt It hard enough 1o
give problems, i Other ROM systems gse an yr>wieidy
ROM box which can 'crash' with even the slightest
knock).
Very Serious
The BrunWord ROM Module is perfect tor the bssic
machine, you need no o finer add ons- However,
anyone who has Iwo disc drives knows the
frustration of inserting a d^sc, asking to load a fife
and being told that the other drive has no disc in it r
You Ermply forgot to Inform the computer to change
over drives. You know there's no disc in the otner
drive, the computer now ^nows, so what's the
problem? Tfte software doesn't test both drsveslH
That's now a. thing of Ihe pasl. The BrunWord ROM
Module mil load from whichever drive has the disc in
it. It's slmpie and it's brilliant, and it your second
drive is a 3,5 5ncb, you can use the fast file system
which loads a 64K file into Info -Script in 7 seconds
or {with extra memory) a 256K file in 16 seconds.
Quote
m tt r s to fatty brilliant. carries on the extreme
user friendliness of Hrunning products to a very
high standards.* I have one- of these Utile gems
plugged into the- back of my CPC right now. As
you can imagine, anything that passes through
the ACU office can expect to come in for a hard
time and, I can safely say that to date, the
BrunWord ROM has performed in an exemplary
fashion on aii fronts. *
Chris Knight (ACU Editor) - ACU August 1991,
BrunWord 61 28 f 3D
Comprtlt word proetising picfcifle- (disc) with ward
jfrttiitor, i palling tbttktt and card filing pragiamma.
BrunWord 612B out pafforma all ether word practssors fo*
tfti- CPCG12G. It's high spaed icraan routine, glvii li a vary
fast rtKp^nsfi and th* edrtor faatuf §a ara logic ill f arranftd to
l>a a aay to Itarn, Tha sptlling chi-cfetr, w»th its dietary,
laad into mtmory at (he Kama 1lm# as tha ward prMassor,
making access vary convenient and exceptionally /bs1. It is
supplied with fli 40 paga manual and a 1u I or 113a.
info-Script £50
Complete data processing package (dis-c), incfydirwj all Ifie
features, at BrunWord and BrunSpelL The word
processes and database Can be resident logelner (jiving Ihe
■speed convenience of access with nG d^sc tfel&ys.
9 Pin Bite £55
The Elke sysle^ for 3 pin printers disc) consists ot
BrunWgrrf Elite, SrunSfwl!, Headline.. $ bit printer st#|ys, p^rt
and 7 'type setting* fonts (fonts are 2* pin in si ie- tout for
9 pin ^infers), total price inclusive,
9 Pin Bite+lnf o £92
Tn# Elite system Con disc) as abova bvi deluding Info -Script
and a &a-c«up -disc. T otal price £ 92 inclusive.
24 Pie Elite+lnf o £90
BrunWord Eli** (on disc], Bru^Spe^ kito-Scf ipt, backup disc,
ft bit stilus port and ? '?ype setling 1 'sfits dGwrtlaidincj 16
a ?4 pin printer. Total prke £90 inclusive^
References
ACU
AC-J
ACU
AA
ACU
ACU
ACv-
SEP Pafe 56/59 -Encryption.
OCT Pfifl* 58/57 -Hasina,
DEC Paw 24/25 - hfo -Script.
FEB Paoe IS - ertmWord $1^6
MAY 1*& 1 Paje i ? / i 1 - --r ifliWqrd E I itfp
JUN 1*9t Page 60/61 - Elite Font Editor,
AUG l£9T Paje - BrwnWi-rd ^QM Module.
milium Taylor*
This delj^itful line drawing. Sv Chris Rotftero is one of tine iilustralion^ in 'Strawberry Fair', a Hook o1 fradhional sor^s and
eas^ p ano musPCj pii>Jished by A A C Slack Ltd. It was Rare "5 canned 'Mo 4 our 'screens' by agreement.
Send cheQue/PO/ Access number/ V I &a number toi-
Brunning Software
B8 The Street,
Little CI acton, Essex, C016 9LS.
Telephone (0255) 862308
B
* * + r
H H + h h
£30.00
£50.00
£55.00
£92.00
BnjnWixd 6128 wflh BrunSpell S 0-ataFile. .
Into Script with BrunWtjrd 6123 S BrunSpetL
9 Pin BrunWord Elite
9 Pin BrutfiWord Eitt^ w'tih Info-Script
24 Pin BrunWord Elite with Into -Script, * + t
Elite Font Editor with 'ChePmer' & l CI&cttin\
SuppNed on 3in Disc tor CPC6128 or 6128 Plus,
* You must state which computer. *
M\ prices are inclusive tor UK. Oversea* orders. &ent
in&ured air mafl - Europe add €2.50 ^ Rest add £7.50
£25.00
AtnstFad User February 1992
THE FIRST PC TO BREAK
THE SOUND BARRIER.
We gave the x^mstrad PC5286® aJl the best features you need for
serious- business use and great games entertainment
Then we gave it features which were unheard of.
As you'd expect, it has state-of-the-art graphics with a 14 Jr high quality
VGA monitor which will display up to 256 colours from a palette of over
a quarter of a million.
Tferrific for business applications but all that colour is wasted on
games if your sound system comes from the dark ages,
So we gave it. a sound system that makes it unique.
Its fully Ad-Lib* compatible soundcard with its twin external speakers,,
brings you closer to the action bringing a whole new dimension fcn the PC.
BUILT FOR BUSINESS
We gave the PC5286®a massive 1 Mb RAM, 40 Mb hard drive and
1.44 Mb 3.-5" floppy disc drive.
T" 1 I J- H .* jP-H.
LINKS
And when it comes to using all that storage capacity it has a fast 80286
chip running at 16 Mhz so you'll be able to get through the business of the
day with enough time left to play around.
THE COMPLETE SYSTEM
If golf isn't your game the Amstrad FC5286® games pack comes with
two other great games. Together with fully featured keyboard, mouse,
DOS 3-3 with user-friendly graphical interface and a joystick.
So at 589*9 + Vat (51056.33 Inc Vat)*
it has to be a sound business proposition.
/
FDR FURTHER
DETAILS RING
0277 262326
Off RUM THE
[QUPM 1EUW
AMSTRKD
1
1 like the sound of the PC528 6 ^Please tell me more.
ACU05
I Name_
Address
I
I
Postcode
fisstolkee;aui,kii
PRINCE OP PERSIA
Coupon information may ba kapl w a database- This may toe passed to youf Am&trad dealer,
if you object p4aase tick box □
Send to: Am strati pic. PC Bo* 462, Bre-ntwowJ. Esse* CM14 4£FTel: (0£7?) £&£3£&.
"R.R FTG corral 1 HQfll. may dang^ VHHnoul r*?StQ* $ Amslrad pic O.luL^r 1991 All ffe|hl9 rfr&afves
Available from selected branches of Allders, Dixons, John Lewis, Rum be lows, Rymans, Wildings and over 3,000 registered Amstrad computer dealers
Published by MCM Ltd,
A division of MCPC Ltd.
Pan ins House I 16-120
Goswell Road> London EC I,
Editorial enquiries:
Teh 0726 850539
All other enquiries:
Teh 071 490 7161
Editor
Chris Knight
Group Technical Editor
John Taylor
Designers
Paul Elfis
Adrian Hulf
Illustrator
Julian Sharp
Group Advertisement Sales
Manager
Lynda Elliott
Advertising Executive
AnastasSa Ubaka
Production Controller
Jayne Penfold
Production Assistant
Rachel Dixon
Publishing Director
Wendy Ralmer
Deputy Managing Director
Ray Lewis
Group Managing Director
Peter Wei ham
Subscriptions
LAZAHOLD
PO Box 1 0, Roper Street,
Pa ll ion tnd. Est.,
Sunderiand SR4 65N.
Tel: 091 510 2290
Yearly rates:
UK £ 1 9.80
Europe £34 JO
Rest of the World £48.60
Distribution
IPC Marketforce Tel: 07 1 261 5000
Colour and Mono Origination
Ebony
Heathlands Industrial Estate
Ltskeard* Cornwall
Tel: 0579 46880
Printed and bound
by BPCC, Colchester Covers
printed by Spoitiswoode
BaHantyne, Colchester-
Published on 1st Thursday of
month preceding cover date
ISSN 09523049
AnvsTnttf 15 fl registered tra-dtrnar'k. ,i;id, witTi [he tide
AmstrMd CarfifcuWr' Lhfir 1 , U used Wffh dl€ permiHton of
Afwrad plc_ No pan of ctes publican may he
produced w Thru ir prm-iki 'on. While ever efffirr. '5
mad* tp ensure the. attune* of ill fejr_urK and listing
wt qhkh accept -any liabihry for any mistake* flr
fsliipnntl. Th€ vie^t and opinions oatpreswd nre not
FTeCCtS3.r»W ihQSf of Amnrad or Anvsoft but repreient
rhc view? at our many rtaderi, users, afld corjinburors.
Matwia.1 for pi*b$<auon h atceprad only on an all rights
ba&is We regrei cha.T Arris end' Computer Usef iHfiF'iOt
enter riito personal correspondence
EWS
BOMB ALLEY 29
Tune in and find out what's new in CPC
Land for the New Year,
ETTERS
10
■ggy dips deep into his bristiing mail bag to
art out your blues.
Space invaders'
returns with a
vengeance!
Turn to your
fave CPC games
guide to find
out how.
14 APPLICATIONS 42
David Ha I Ms back on the scene with yet
more superb progettes for your perusal.
The Doc sorts out the mail to help
get to grips with your problem*.
you to
THE TECH IE BIT 18 HAIRY HACKER 46
Doctor Watson heaps on the hex hints
and ushers in some more MC madness.
More multiface pokes to peruse and the
latest instalment in the Famous Five saga.
ADVENTURE
22
DM meets out some praise to certain
parties alongside the usual hints and tips.
PD SCENE
24
inde Bob has some gripes to deal with,
hilst dishing out the latest PD DTP
EASYDRAW
50
The fuli program gets a final
reprint before
the additions sec your progj
;ic alight
LISTING
55
What's the mega type-in this month? Turn
over and feast your eyes to find out.
SUBSCRIPTIONS 27 C0MMS
62
Here's your chance to get regular and
pick up some great goodEes to boot,
How can you run a bulletin board on your
CPC? Easy, just get the right software and
you're away. Read on.
0MPETITI0N 12 MORE JOY
48
iet your hands on a fabulous Panasonic
rize inside.
21
AH the latest on the new 3.5" drive from SD
Microsystems,
LABELMAKER 41
Goldmark Systems 1 superb disc labeller gets
the ACU lowdown.
UNDERCOVER 44
More additions to the fanzine world, as
wefl as a few surprising changes,
1 IVI Vr
w0 1
The Bug versus The Pedals. Read on to see
how two new epic joysticks met the ACU
challenge.
LENDING TIME 58
Want to set up your own PD library? ACU
gives you the gen on alt you need to know.
PRINT CRAZY 60
Smart printing at a very smart price. Join in
as ACU takes the new Panasonic 9-pjn for
a spin.
EARLY
LEARNING
Sheffield based educationalists at Tri-
ple R have come up with an excellent
idea to help youngsters get to grips
with keyboard skills, in the form of
unique keyboard overlays,
Simple to fit, these lightweight over-
lays are designed to convert keyboards
to lower case and avoid further confu-
sion by giving the option of QWERTY
SCULL NEWS
Two nuggets of information from Scull
Land this month, one excellent and the
other, perhaps, not quite so excellent,
but read on and decide for yourself.
Due to ever-increasing photocopying
costs, CPC Domain fanzine is, from
now on, to be produced on disc only.
The new Disc-zine will contain
everything in the printed CPC Domain
only more of it, so we are told.
In addition, each issue will come
with the latest PD software free as a
sort of cover disk. The first disc issue
should be out already, featuring
CLICKETY
CLICK
It looks like magazines aren't good
e n ought for some people anymore ! What
else then, videos?
Yep! That's exactly right, following
the news of an exciting new computer
game release from Catalyst called Click
Priced at £4, 99 T Click is the first video
magazine to be sold in the same way as
print magazines and features up to the
MICRONET
DOWN
Following the sad demise of Micronet,
avid users should be gratified to hear
that London based On-Line is offering
ex-Mieronel users free membership
and £5 of free On-line time to what
they claim is the UICs leading service
for multi-player games*
Runningiiir-Pfem^rand Federation
II as two of its most popular offerings t
all ex-Micro netters need to do is send
in a copy of any Micronet bill in 1991 to
be registered for more games fun.
Anybody who wants to take up the
On-Line offer should contact Clem on
081 558 6114 now! You know it makes
sense.
or alphabetic layout. There is even one
showing coins to help children get to
grips with money.
These excellent overlays come free
of charge with every purchase of the
new, innovative range of educational
programs available from Triple R.
Look out in future issues of ACU for
a full run down on these excellent
products and make sure you grab a
copy when they hit the streets in
the very near future, Your kids will
love them.
Locom otive Basic Compiler the cover
PD, as a cost of £1.25 plus disc and
SAK Why not give it a whirl
The other piece of news comes as a
result of Alan Scully's devotion to
Domain and means that, from now on,
Scull Software the library is only open
to subscribers of CPC Domain. A bit of
a shame, that, especially as the price
for a disc full of PD has just dropped to
just 75p>
If you want to know more about CPC
Domain, or about the library, then send
an SAE to Alan Scully, 119 Laurel D rive*
East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 9JG,
■
minute games reviews that you can see
and hear as you "read".
The bad news for us Arnold fans,
however, is that they don't seem to be
covering CPC games at the moment.
However, we at ACL will certainly be
talking to them on that point and, if you
get a copy, why not talk to the publishers
and tell them what you think.
Click is certainly novel, but is £4*99 a
little too much to pay every month?
Thafs up to you to decide - it looks
good though-
MEGA STAR
Nude joy sticks have taken a stepfiirther
with the release of Spectravideo's latest
blaster, the Mega Star,
Designed as a sort of big brother
Page 6
MIRROR,
MIRROR...
As the race for dominance in the rapidly
expanding v.32 modem market hols
up, Miracom claims that it is taken the
lead after breaking the £fi(M) price
barrier wilh its entry level product the
Courier v.32.
According to Give Hudson, Sales
and Marketing director at Miracom,
v.32 products account for some 50% of
sales since the Courier price drop last
yean with predicted il^uivs ut up uj
im by April 1992.
Commenting on the market, Clive
said: 'The difference between Miracom
and other modem manufacturers is thai
we are not just paying lip service to
v,32, but basing our whole strategy on
il, with a product to address all of the
market segments;'
With the ability to save money and
transfer files up to seven limes faster
than quad equivalents, il has to be good
news that the v + 32 standards are coming
down to affordable prices. Mr Hudson
certainly looks overjoyed!
If you want to know more about the
Miracom range of modems and bow a
modem can help you out* try ringing
Miracom on 0753 811180 for details.
the successful Top Star, this Quickjoy
stick is claimed to be the closest yel to
joysticks seen m the arcades.
Featuring seven heavy-duty
microswitches, made by Quickjoy itself,
the handling certainly feels like an
arcade stick and t with the short, stubby
stick and three chunky fire buttons, it
looks the part as well.
The transparent exterior means that
you can see all of the switches in action
as you blast and, if you don't mind
paying just that little bit extra, you
should find yourself in possession of a
fairly indestructible stick for enhanced
playing power.
Keep your eyes peeled for when this
one hits the shelves and see if the
chunky playing style suits you. If it
does, then buy it. At just £27.95 t you'll
be getting an awful lot of stick for your
money*
Amstrati User February 1992
I NEWS!
BRAIN
TEASERS
Here we are , folks p with the winning list
from our Brain Teaser Quiz (ACU
October 1991). This one certainly
sorted out the men from the boys from
the girls from the ladies from the ... an d
so on and so on.
Anyway, without further ado, the
answers to the three questions were as
follows. The weight of the human brain
varies with each candidate, obviously,
but we accepted any answer around
the ISSOgms area. Question two was
also a poser where a couple of
alternatives applied, in particular the
Cerebellum and the Pituitary Gland.
As a result, any combination of the
above was also acceptable.
Well, what do you expect^ we told
you it was a brain Teaser didn't we?
The third, and quite straightforward,
HIGH SPEED
PRINTING
If you like your print outs done
yesterday, then why not take the new
Seikoshs SP2400 out for a test spin,
Specifically designed lor home and
office use, where speed is of the
essence, this superb new 9-pin printer
offers a lop print speed of 300cps in
super draft*
Other speed features include 24
cps in draft (12cpi) and 50 cps in Near
Letter Quality (lOcpi) T not too bad for a
printer that retails at under ££0H
The SP240O incorporates Epson
and IBM Fro printer II emulations
ensuring compatibility with most
software packages and offers bo
parallel and RS232C serial interfaces
as standard.
With a print buffer of 21kB. five
resident fonts and comprehensive
paper hand liny: features* all accessible
through the easy, one-touch button
panel, the SP2400 is certainly a lot of
printer for your money.
Costing £199, exclusive of VAT,
any bod v wanting to know more about
this Httlebeast should ring 0753 685873
now.
poser after that little lot, should have
given you the answer of 729.
OK? Now you know all that, here
goes with the winners' list, each of
whom should soon be receiving a Rubik
Puzzle and a copy of Swap to tease the
old grey cells a little further.
C. Jenkins, Newtown, Powys: A-
Baggott Wellingborough, Northants:
David Wiggins, Stratford, London: W.
F. Lane, Newark, Notts and P.T. Ardon,
Carlisle, Western Australia.
There you go folks, we hope you
enjoyed taking part and wish you all
luck in this month's fab competition on
page 12. Get going.
NEW CHAIN
Get set for a new age in computer
games shops as Game Vision prepares
for the opening of two brand new stores
in London.
The store s t in Ruislip and Mu swell
Hill boast a specially designed area for
customers to try out games of their
choice, catering for up to eight players
at a time, to help you make your ideal
games choices.
Games Vision stores will also be the
only computer games stores in the
country to offer customers the
incredible Virtual Reality experience.
There are only 1 8 units currently around
in Britain, so if you want to don the
headgear and try it out for yourself, you
know where to go.
For the ultimate in games playing
offers, why not take a trip to the stores,
if you live in the area. If you don't keep
your fingers crossed that a new one
opens near you soon.
^Jft i fc
J>0 Yoo FnsiK. h£"
OfvL IT *?
Amstratl User February 1992
Page 7
A/f//^ COMPUTER
/ Vlf SUPPLIES
SufifiUi'i s nf Discount Snfluwe since 1984
AMSOFT CF2
DISKS
HOW TO ORDER:
Aff prices mcJcjcte VAT ft delivery
Send cheques or postal orders made payable
MJC SUPPLIES (ACU)
Unit 2, The Arches, Icknield Way,
Letahworth, Herts, $G6 1UJ
Or telephone with Acce5s or Visa debit
and credit cards on:
to; 0462-481166
Overseas Customers: write for quotation
Educational Bodies. Local Authorities, Govt.
Departments: send written order
FAX US ON W62 6703D1
SERIOUS DISKS I EDUCATIONAL DISKS
5 for
£8.9S
10fpr
■ r ■ i . i ■ ■ ■ t£1 5.95
2D for ...
■ - - - ■ -£29.9&
DESKTOP
PUBLISHING
STOP PRESS SOFTWARE
A superb uagr. layout program
allowing text and graphics to oe
mted on the same page. Contains a
of teat fonts & clip art D
leaflet$ r posters etc
ONLY £34.95
STOP PRESS & AMX MOUSE
As above but is supplied complete
wrth the AMX mouse making the
program a tot quicker and
easier to use.
CALL
EXTRA! EXTRAS
Two disks of extra fonts and cNp art
for use wrth Stop Press.
ONLY £14,95
*** SPECIAL OFFER ***
STOP PRESS SOFTWARE
AND
EXTRA! EXTRA!
ONLY 44 95
AMSTRAD 61 28
PLUS COMPUTERS
With COLOUR stereo sound
monitor, disc drive, and 12SK
RAM. Takes GX40aotyp9
cartridge games as well as most
CPC disc programs New
connectors for printer, expansion
and disc drive pcrts, but no tape
option.
£249.95
RIBBONS
Quantity
Printer
DMP20W-9SW .,,
Panasonic KXPIOfli ■
GiEiz&n T20O
Staf LCrlfl Black . . . .
SttrLC24-1D
Panasonic KXP112*
SUf LC-iG Colour. . .
Star LG2D0 Mono . . .
Slar LC200 Cclouf . ,
Star LC24-200 Mono
i
_.3.»
-.3.*
. 3.95
. .4.95
3. 95
2
,5.50
. . 7.00
.7.00
.7.00
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5
.12.00
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.15.00
■ 1B.W
.16.00
.15.00
..5.95. .,11 00
. .5.50-. .,10.00
"0 95. .19.95
Heat Tran sfer
CrHf*rt 12CkO
Panasonic KJCl* 1061 .
Star LC<10B!&ck.....
Star LG-lftCfliOU*.-.
x1
J5.B5.
7 95.
..6.B5.
T1 95.
Li
k 2
.13-00
■ lS.OO
,13-W
.23 00
COURIER DELIVERY
Available on aJl ofrjers. Prices start
trorn £3. Please ask tor details when
ordering.
PROTYPE
Amor's excellent print enhancer is a
must for all Pretext users
MJC PRICE £21.95
Protest. « ► k k ,. . 18.95
Praepell — •>**,*.,.. 16.96
Promerge — 15.95
Matjrta Spreadsheet ..,.29.95
Quaiitas Plus *2 14.95
Qualitae Font Library , H 11,95
Qualitaa disc 6.95
Masterfile 3 fD&tabm) .29.95
Matrix SpreatHhtst Plus 29.95
** LETS GET SERIOUS **
A montftiy took sf ssflous
90ftWBf9
Th\* month: Mini Offla 2
Cnrtr 1he lusl rhrw rnanEhf wp havm
lankad a.1 spnaadsfipVtQ, wrjrtf
pre«?tSOiT-fln0 dJl?&tBW Trill IFiDPlh
*s tahe i ImN it a package c^fila-rir-g
all ihrtt of ths&e. Mini CHUm 2 ia :ht
\dta\ ihlruduL'iun \if sc-rious inFlwari;
Rj# to* price o& m gpirv vou gst n taaic
wgrd Pwtwr capable or ualng any
■ compatible pri^iTer a
BpruAttMMl, wfliCh tirt bo used 1nr all
Mr-ria pf n-grwricnl wgrh. n QnppUct
*KHon tor jwoduclnn pie charts line
rjrapha and bar tharii 1mm 1ha
ApraadahsaE dti'.b Dmimbm hv* krmping
m Qwwdtnm^ ofnininind &ddTO&a*&.
which iinka. up with trie LjAwl- Printer Por
add fQti labels.
MINI OFFICE 2 Q\SC £1XK t*4*+tti
W H lBfl f i.flS
Stockmarket (share analysis} .,..29.95
Money Manager fhcvne aceou-frfs) .21.95
X-Pr*5$v2.0 .18.95
Sprites Alive! ...17.95
Sprite$ Alive! Compiler 22.95
Maxam Assembter , 18.95
Mini Office Z 13.95
Advanced Art Studio.. .1 9.95
CDlaurDimp 2 , .,.,.12.95
L
3D CONSTRUCTION Krr
£19.95
GAMES DISKS
COMPILATIONS
Cfipcpm Collection 17.§5
Grand stand + ♦ + t4.95
Hollywood CoU«Ek>n 14.95
Jamea Bond Gollflction 14.95
Movie Premiere Csljectlon .,14,95
System 3 Pack ....I4J&
Virtual Worlds ,15.95
Super Sega Collection * .14.95
Chi pa Challenge 11.95
E. AT J.I............J4J 1 1 .95
F-16Comi3«t Pilol .14.95
Ga£ia£ ... — ,_, 1F 10.96
Hydra 1195
Jeh&nqFr Khan's Squash 10J5
Lone Wolf 10.95
LoIls Espril Turbo CliaNeirge 10.96
Mercs , . . . 12.95
M. A-flJC ft ■ »'* .•►,»'*»•'*•.*'■•.. ■ ■ 1 1 .BS
Nightshift 12.95
torth S Soulh , 12.95
Predator 2 11 95
Prince olP&raia ... + + + + 10.95
RBI? Baseball mm 13.95
Robozofie .... T , 10.95
Sm City (61?e&Plus) 12.95
Tunican 2 B r . . r . ,11,95
SEND SAE TO THE MJ.C. SimES
TDUCWmAL SUPPLEMENT FOR
WM iNfORmrtON ON ALL
EDUCATOWL PROGRAMS
L^arn to Head wrtti Prof
Part 1 : Prof Plays A New Game
(4-9},,,., rri , 14,95
Part 2: Prof Looks at Words 14.95
LCL Primary Maths (3-12} ...19. SB
LCL Micro IVbrjis (1 l«CS£|......I9 J 95
: LCL Micro English (ftGCSE] 19.95
LCL Mei a Maths (ALevd!..
Keys to Pleat*
Young children don't understand
GAPFTAL LETTERS, bul thflfs ail
your computer keyboard shows. Keys
to Pl&ase is a campleta sel of
laminated kay board stickers showing
lower can and UPPER CASE. £1 oN if
total order val ue exceeds £10.
Keys lo P^eaw Q.95
French Mistress 12 to adulL,.)5;95
rman Master 12 to aduJt .15.95
nish Tutor 12toaduti 15.95
ttatar Tutor 12 to adult.,.. 15.95
Answerback Junior Quiz 15.95
Faeries irequhE Answerback Quiz}
Arithmetic (6 to II years),,. ,7.95
Speihng [6 to H vearsj 7.95
Sports (12 to adult) 7.95
Fun Sthocrf 1 10 pro grams pcrdtafr
For^te 5 years ...6.95
For 5 to 7 years......... 5.95
For 8 tci 12 yearEr*.«„ M , r &.95
Fun School 2 S proems per dwdf
For 2 to 6 ytarE fl.95
For 6 lo fl year* 8.95
For S to 12 years -9.95
Fin School 3 € programs per dish
For 2 to 5 years.... 11.95
For 5 to 7 years... ] 1-95
For 7 to 12 years , 11.95
ACCESSORIES
Programming the Z80 book , , , . ,2195
DKT£i4K hferrHjry Expansion 45.96
MultlTace 2 Plus (for CPCs) - 33.95
ttultita.es 2 Plus (for Plus Models) 42 95
CPC to Parallel printer Lead ...... B. 95
Plus to Parallel Print Lead , , &.95
464 Kayboard- Monitor Exl Lead 6.95
612S Keyboard-Monitor Ext Lead 7. 95
FD1 Disc Drivfl Lead (684/5128} 7.95
Moniior d Keyboard Dust Covers7.95
(sim Covour/Wom) A m/em/pius)
Ojlckshot 2 Turho Joystick , r . r . .9,95
Com petillon Pro 5DW Joy sti &k T 3.95
Topstar rrr 19.95
100 Programs tor the CPC {type ing)9.95
CPM BASED
PlUtfllft CPflrt Fl-li-l + l + i ki Kd k + lH 39.3^5"
At LastPlus .....24,95
SuperCa^c 2
.42.95
' --j >■-'- ■
Amor C Compiler ,
H soft C Compiler,
Maxam 2
Hisoft Oevpac SO version 2
Nevada Fortran Compiler
Nevada Cabo! Compiler
Hi 50ft Pascal 80 v.4.
lankey Crash Course :
tankey Two Finger Typing
,.36.95
.36.95
,36-95
,36.95
.36.95
36.95
,36.95
,18.95
.18.95
PRINTERS
AJl pnees include cabls r ribbon. VAT r pds-Uge
4 ticking. Courier service avariable. add £5.
FEEL FREE TO CALL FOR ADVICE
9 PIN PRINTERS
CITIZEN 12)0 0 PLUS
A cheap Epson F3( compattlc, with 3 range
of text styles and &ze£ in drait mode,
taftifed in Near Letter Quahl-y.
£139.95
STAR LC-20
54aT4 f»w f*plftnorngfl| the popular LC-1C- ifi
wre lo be a winner
£169.95
PANASONIC KXP-1170
Offes 4 NLQ iontSi, and fa^l pnnrinE". Very
good qualrty text for a & pin pmfer.
£159,95
STAR LC^20C
Hie latest colour cf int« from Star. Not onrty
very fast tut oflers nefc paper handling
turEi. Best vadue lor money. MB: Printn^
cofour graphics ^equffes extra software.
Please call before ordennR
£219 95
24 PIN PRINTERS
YWren or mtmg fraphicj from £4 ptn
pnnters re sifts LVrri J be di'sforfcd
wChoLrt some e^tra software,
^ease c a (T before ordering.
STAR LC24-10
Ejcc^ksrt value budget 24-pin pritt$f p
offering 5 latter quality fonts, and additional
effects sucli as quad size, aottrie and shadow.
aoft.es
PANASONIC KXP 1123
Panasonic's frttry level 24-pm P gMng a
better prut quality than the Star models , but
with 4 IQ fonts and fewer effects
£219.95
STAR LC24-20O
The replacement ior tfie popular LC24-10,
witn ttle same 5 letter quality fonts,
shadow and outline effects. Much quicker
than fjhe ^4-10 and has improved paper
handlmg,
£259.95
PANASONIC KXP-1124!
Replacement for the exedtent 1124: olfenng
esceSent text quality, buld quality, £aoei
hafflfcfi and control panel. Wow offers
shadow £ outline effects, 7 LO fonts and a
new super LQ font,
£279.95
COLOURDUMP 2
TNs proflram pnnSs Advanced Art &tucfto
Files in up to 16 eolevs on the Star LC-2DG
Colour printer Or compatible
COLOURDUMP 2 £12.35
CASSETTE SOFTWARE
Fun SChMl 1 f?-5) , .4.95
Fun School 1 f5-7j 495
Fun school 1 (&-121 4 95
FunStOOOl 2fM>,. 7.95
Fun S&hcoi 2 (W| 7 .85
Fun BctwoJ 2 (over &) L .............. . .7.95
Fun School 3 i 2*5) "S 9&
Fun School 3 J5-7J. ............. .ft.9&
Fun School 3 ipwf 7) "6.96
Mini OnS
:e 2
9.95
Maxam4&4 15,95
Proterf 4&4 _.I5.95
Tasword 464 , r .15.95
Frencti l^slress „12.95
German Master 12.95
Spanisn Tuto* 1 12.95
Aitsweiback Junior Qmz r ,..„J2.95
Card holders can order now on: 0462 481 1 66
8
Amstrad liser February 1$92
OFTWARE CITY
BUDGET TITLES
CALL US OHi
0902 25504
b , —
n i
SOFTWARE CITY
Unit 4, Business Development Centre
21 Temple Street, Wolverhampton WV2 4AN
TEL: (0902) 25304 FAX: (0902) 712751
in D^-uion MttUtf ■
2 Phyrr Socotf Squd
3 Pkayer Super LC-iftft
I "fl^! 2 ikkpihip ■:■ w: ■ 4 i 4
AtiC . . I LLLLLIIIIII11111
Ai*l Al
AJlirnlurrt* , ,
Airwtilf ,,,,»... nm
Al Herod rk-tM ■
A.P.B. r .
■"irkdJiuLd L ur 2 ■ ■ ■ - ^ -
Ausfraban Ruks F'^nhili... . .
Backaacnraoa .1 m h
fl Ji~.g:r Rnctr
Huir.in The Cipad GrtA*d« . .
Hirrriin The Movie
ttors&i*cfc l«I
ftouMetf«A I or 4
The BeHfff ■ ■
BOHint Manager
BritilN Super Leajue FoattrtH ,
But- Me HftWle
Bu^anrBojf , -
L tb;il r r r r - . j j j j j
CilifomkOwnei - ■
ChampiunshiJ Golf ■ ■--
Chase K.Q....
Chevy Cruse ■
CrttJCK Veafjer
£199
±3.99
£1.99
£2.99
£J.99
,, HH ,.£199
,,.m,£3.99
£199
£3.99
£199
, ____E1_9*
£2-99
, £2.99
, ,£5.99
£3.99
.,,..,£3.99
,
1 j j j 1 1 1 £2.99
[3.99
...... u.n
£199
.....,.£1.49
£2.99
£1.99
£199
£J99
,rJE.W£J.99
.13-9*
E2.44
CtHKkW I "3 t3. g
Ctata ic Tnivwr ■ ■ -
Corniii»fW]0 -
COTriuMflud Circu*
CnunLiy C'rltkti (0*H) ........
Criwy C"iri ,,,
Crickti Master
Cap FAOIfrtll ■ ■ ■ ■-<-+» hc+ k4 r**- *■*
Dairy TSiiWnpMHW DecaabloD mi
Dairy Thonip»0A^ Olympic Cball.
Dizzy FumC .
■ £2 9?
£3.99
0.99
£1.99
£3.99
....£3.99
£3.99
£3.99
£149
£149
DHWIW , , , , rrrP iiiin £149
Doubt Eh-Jfton ■
Oiifjn NlfUfl
DrilLor
Empire Slrolte taek
Euro EkHB 1 1
T I Tnroodo
. H 99
.£1.99
.£2.99
.£1.99
.£2.99
.£2.99
FuiLaiy Worhl Piny ■ ■
Fotfball Cbam0i*fiP
Fnoibbll E5irec1or ■
Fflolhill M*Tii^f
reel ball Manftftf 2 ,
F co. Lb all Miiun^r 2 F.Kpimion. .
D.44
,.£144
..£144
..£199
. .£2.99
The TnolbiJIffT .1..... B .„,£|.99
;0.fP
. fa fa fa L ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ -£*J-?^
£J.»
,„h-N£W 13.99
13.39
, £3.99
£3.99
£3.9?
F&ntbaiScrur Lhc Yffcr 2
Frank BrunoY 9u-.».irtt - -
Fruit Machine- Safll 1 ... -
Gtne Ow 1 . p . . .
The -Gin** Summer Edition . . .
Th* Glmft- Winder Edition .....
Otry liwktT? Hotsbola P .
^hL^ibUHtrii i
Grytor * .£J.9?
Herati Of The Lhhe NEW £1.99
rltifrg&Utn * h 1 ■ ■ 1 » 1 1 1 11 > ■ r - - ■■ 1 1 1 iQ.99
Hcnt llofj PtiDoejr .ii......,, £1-99
IkU; Winwr , .E2.99
3mp&uuTHle £3.99
jpduuu Jdocs Lari CrUMdt - ■£3.99
lfrl.fhK.riM Hetli j j j j . , . . r r £2.99
IrtierruiioniS Foutball
Jnltr PtrflLflrLpJ Kiribf * .£3.99
iTiLtnWltflft*] Uuipr i o w
J»i....... E»
Jocky WlTjMtS I>*n4 Cnmpeniiiiim , r .
ttoriy Dmi^ish &*K£tr Uuufer £2.99
t:nLurky R-kljik - - •■■ QJ
Kick Off
Kwik. Snu. 1 1. . ,
LLenct Tn till .
Lop Eira . ...... 1
MogLcland Dizei
The Mnna^rr
£>.«
.£1.99
BUDGET TITLES
FuJiaillrei rrrrr
QuaiLrn AdTefiJtUlf [CKlTJ Eic.)
QiluLtc CuIkhi <LlHl€ -ftifl), - - , , - ■
QtLutrr* Cola Qp4 < rrUL Foods Bc-t
Quutro Power .... 1 - ■ ■ ■
Quritro Uilh ([ft!, tuapy Sim Etc). - fJ-W
R-Tnm ..mi. -
Rdly Cront m ,*2.W
Run bo 3 1. i3«
Ri» U
Red 1 Hen .-..■I3. , rt
ReneiMdc I or 1 * £3.99
Aotf Sur Mj KueaLtr £3.99
Rupy Cptdi » * 1 1 hi " - t3 "
ftugby Min*iiCi- - - - - = - - -<3-*9
feuD Tbf OliMIlK n n ■ . - JrjJji
S*m.Fr>]iPok*f £2"
S.Li>aby Deo , , - £i 99
kccTjby Dod mil &er*pp* &»
Shulryf Mfli rr - - ■ ■ «
Shuiotii . 1. 1 . . . . . . . ■ .in t i 4 ti v+ r p ^ ... ■ 1 i£l-99
Silkworm 1. ■. n> ^£5°9
finoolfT MiazfGfrKfH r -
^ocoer Dinctor ■ ■
Scjcser ^even j . . . . £3.^9
SflwQ --- ■ «■»
SocCtf P-iv^fc ■ - - j . i . . 1 1 1 . . . . . . . . ■ 1 1 1 1 £3.99
SoostJ Sdr . . . , ■ - ■ . -
Sp^ Himlft p , , p - -£J *9
Sieve El4*il Snoofcer p ■ p p - -£199
tplriker - £V«
Sinker Muuetr ■ «•. 1 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ p h f > • ■ £^-99
Super Him^Jo l — . j r - .£3.99
Super Nudpe 2W0 F^nbill ...£1.99
TlfjfK RenefMoe r • .£3.99
Tctru *■( ■ j £2.99
I nunderblbde ■ £3.99
Thundemli tr - ■ ■ - ■■ £2.99
Twflm ,,,,1,1.1. £3.99
TOP Cm! 1 ■■■■nnnnnnii 99
Top Gun i. LuEkft
traekiuiL Manipr - -_niiin.£J99
I ripdoor .* - - - -£2.99
Treume Ixlarui EKurly .......... r ■ ....... .£3.99
M.99
Tt fticer. £2.99
Ttf* yMouchibJei ..
Turb=:i t.p'ULnirj
Turriearp >
Th* vlndktl4r -mi
YlDdKefcurf ...... . ■ ■
Wembirj Ort^hrOundi
WondrTbOy ■ ■ ■ - —
World CatmpiOW.' Leigue Soccer - -£J-99
World Clad LetfertatKli
LrsdcfbolN A T-nu-muDHiL , , ...£4.99
Kyhou N£*£3.99
Yogi *bA Tbe Ofced Woeaner ul ,£2,99
Yop'taraftl Esr4pe - ,,,,,£199
Muur M iocr . . . • - .£3,99
TbJMuefe mm. ...*3.99
Mi*thd*y I Of J - * O.W
M.kr Htidt Pop Qoli i.., -£1»
M.n- fJllic*
M*on*ilker - - p p - -CI-*?
Motoreyele Jcfl . pp. . pp ■ i m..i J$Jf9
Mouftlairl Bii ? 1(0 - .fl.W
NemEiLx ■ ■ r £1.99
New Teiiirud Smr^ ■ £3.99
Nifel M«n«e|l C-rmd Fru -£2.99
MiiHl Cun«r V. Ai ,£2.99
OnTbc Bent*, JpJ-99
Opt raJCion ThviVMrtCiK NI W £i.99
OpcnJIlon Wolf .£3.99
("hjljUQl jjjj l r jjjjj .£3.99
p4T*rtM(F ***** ■ £2 W
Peairt; ahffl TerinH .... — - - - - v,
Pnpej^ 2 rr . £3.99
PrHrrcuui Pal ] oi2 Fr - ^ £2.99
PowErdnft ....n , , -.i S..NEW £3.99
Ptb G^ir (CodtTnaKm? £3.99
Pri^leflionaJ FooLballer . . £J.99
£3 99
,,.,....£3.99
SI 44
u.»
£3.9*
.qlh
1 1 F F FF 3-W
FULL PRICE
CASS
MJ CcrfuicrurtHBi Kil ., £17 W <
Pint- <W Tbe BuUje ---£* 99.
H^iin Clcughl FooLball Fc.no run . t™ .
r,:<iifltiiLL iridgt 4 £* .99 -
ColccHUdi Cheu 4 .r^.M - -
CrelC jU] ,,.£K99^
Cfttkei Captain ..... i .'. .£^.30 ,
l^t'km^n. (C7.S0--
BthIv^ Tiuglw £7.W-
Euf Optat! SaptTleafiie i I2ft"t onljO > > > £S-99 ■
f-IM.iifn^i Piloi £Lfl.99.
Final Fit* . f -pp .....£H.99.
FombaH Dirtrfof 2<l»kJ F .. F ....,..Ni A.
Fun School 3 (5-j> .
Fua Scbool 3 [T +1 fS W-
Crokie* Ajw.i.i .£750.
Grand Pwa (0*10 ...<?■»
Qremlifu 2 F . -£150.
Ciuiuhip ,,,, £11.99 -
Hero Qi^tt , F F F E7Jt,
Hero Ourtt Witcfalord lApafuidn . J "i W .
Hwpt For Red October r£7M .
RktOfT 2 ,,,,,, prptTSO.
L.mim Eiprit Tarbo ChaDeo^e .£1SQ.
Kiancherler list ,, £T SO.
Minchesler LnL EarHpC .£3.99 .
Mem ., £S.99.
Nc-rlh and Sc-aLh .£i.99 .
Prince of Fenii i £T.SC i
Ft a I, |,2 1 1 T !#* ■! H ■ kl, kkkLkBBBBBBBJ JL ^ I SO" ■
Rect r>uwer«m2 .£7.5fl%
Soabbk. MCriWpcl) A Cluedo £13.99
Shidon Dad&er - - . ■ .£9.99.
Sileol Serrie* .£150.
Sim City m..
Spftrqirft Tiiuigka C?.50.
Super tf&nnca Grand Frii , £lJ0,
Staper Off Roti R*P*r... ..i.£lft,
Super Spice londott NEW £150
S*4p. , r £110 ,
S»H!rhbllile ,....mi..C7.»,
TrrnumlLOt 1 ■ - - £7_50 ,
Teat Dim ICThe [JyelJ ..... - - £7.50
Taudrrjiwa r £T_5fJ
DISC
£I7_50
£10.99
..£4.99
..£4.99
..£9.99
.£10.99
..N,'A
.£10.99
£10.99
410.99
.£11.99
. JfJO
.£ll.99
.£l 1. 99
.£10.99
...N/A
.£1(1.45
.£13.99
.£10,. 44
..£7.94
.£10.44
.£10.44
£10.44
.£.10.49
£11.99
JilJI
.£11.99
.£10.99
.£12.99
..Hi A
.£31.99
.£10.99
.£12.99
.£10.99
.£ll.»
.£l*.99
..N,i'A
.£IQ.44
.f 111.44
■ Off *9
i . .N/A
.£1199
COMPILATIONS
r:HAhT ATTACK
WFII^ t.SFRIT TUR3W CH Al.LEtfCIi,
SUPEHCARS, SHADOW OF THE. BEAST,
IMPnSbAum.F. i. GHOULS AN [> GHOSTS
CA5&1H.M piSC 11.99
SlflU SEGA
^0S.UE^ AXE, "ESWAT. SHLN06I. SI.JPER
MONACO £SF A C H Ai K fJOWN
CASS-ONLY £1199 DISC £1/13*
a i ay sea surREMAcy
5llrEM SERVICE, f.-A.h RIF.R COM MAM?,
U U h &H I P. TFfUlS DERBOLT A FI5 STRIKE
EAGLE
CASS 111.99 0I8C £35-99
CAT COM COi.LECTIQN
STRIDEX I A^D 2, GHOULS TC'CKUSTS,
FOKCOTTEM wOllLDS, CM. SQUADRON,
D-VNaSTY WARS, L£DSTOHM A LAST DUE-E.
CASS £1199 DISC flt-M
MOVIE FH^MIEll
THEN AGE MUTANT KERO TURTLES,
£iftt:ME INS IE, BACK TO THE FUTURE ll r DAVS
Of THUS DR. R
CASS£3*.i9 OISCH3.99
JAMES BOND COLLECTION
SPY WHO LOVED ME. LICENCE TO KILL ft
LIVE AND LET DIE
CAS5tt-t*TMSCEI1.99
GRANDSTAND
*Uft LD CLASS LEADER 90 Alt D, PRO TENNIS
TOUR CONTINENTAL C3RCU!i A 0A77.A5
SDPER SOCCER
CASS £lt.99 DISC I] 3 *9
ADDICTS® Tfl FUN
[J-LSBLE br.iH^l k. RAINBOW LSLA^dSiNEW
ZEALAND STOflV
HANNA lARBERA CARTOON COLLE^CTION
t'GG["i ORf.AT ESCAPE, MONO RO?<G PHOOEY,
RITF AND REAPS T" J\ BEVERLEY HILLS CATS
cam rat
VIRTUAL *GRlrOS
DRILLER. TOTAL ECLIPSE, THE CRYPT A
Castle master
CASS £l».9* DISC £13.99
SIX APPEAL
RICK DANGEROUS, TWIN WtJft I. D, FUFFYS
S A r | K U N DLRSOLT. P?( . * N J 1 ll.fi A
SATAN
CASS £T|.«
FQWER UP
RAINBOW ISLAND, ALTERED BEAST,
TURRICAN. X-OIJT AND CHASE H.0-
CASS^lfl.w
IT> T V. SHOWTIME
K R ¥ Pi ON FACTOR, BOBS FULL HOUSE,
EVERT SECOND COUNTS A BULLS EYE
DI7J.Y COLLECTION
FAST FOOLi, FANTASY WOULD DIZZY.
TRE^SLPit LSLaNDDIZZY* MA03C LAND
DIZZY
CASS £7 .59
FIST OF FURY
DOUBLE DRAGON 2, SHlNOfiL. DYNAMITE
DUX.. N'tNJA WARRIORS
CASS £lt,ff DISC £1TJI
SQCCEi MANIA
K>0TRAl.L MANAOER 2, MICROPHONE
SOCCER FOOTrtALLMANAGEH WORLD CUP
EDITION A UpHZZ Ao' $11 PER SOCCER
C*S3 £i* 99 DISC £11.99
soccyp sufAf]
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR, ROY OF THE
ROVERS. GARY LiN£MiRS SLPERSHLLS *
SUPERSTAR SOCCER
CAS* £1.99
HOLLYWOOD COLLECTION
ROJUOCOP^ INDIANA JONES LAST CRUSADE,
BATMAN THE MUVlF. A GHOSTBUSTERS 2
CASS £10-99 DISC £13.99
MEGA GAMES VOL !
NORTH STAR, CYBERNOID. DEFLECTOR,
TRIAXOS-i BLOOD BROTHERS, MASK I. TOUR
DEFORCE HERCULES, BLOOD VALLEY
MASTERS OF THE US IV F-RSE (THE MOVIE !
CASS ONLY £3.»
SUTRt Mi: CKALLENGI
ELITE, STARGLlDER, ACE 2. SENTINEL AND
TETRES
CASSfSJf
PYRA WORD
WORD PROCESSING AND FILE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM. FULL PRINTING FACHJTY
4Ut*j**t*ym DISC ONLY £5.H
THE CODE MACHINE
FULL FEATURE MACHINE CODE
PROGR4 M MtNG DEYELO PMEN I P ^CKAOE
EDITOR., 1 ASSf M BEER
MONITOR i D1SASS fcM BIER
«r«.'ttV4l21 CASS ONLY £5.5*
STORY 5U f AR VOL 1
SPAC E H AR RLER. OVER LANDER, HOPPING
MAD, LIVE A LET DIE, BEYOND THE ICE
■" ALACf - DISC ONLY £*J*
Tfttil Recall ,,,, £7,». . .
Xayam Celice C7M , ■ ■ 1 10.44
TriwiiS Punuil £10 95 .... £13.44
mf'^i - NEW £5.99 £*«
' 1 nnn- ., ii..ii £7.50 ■ ■ ■ ■ £l L9P
WrrtfcJ CrsifrlpiWihrp 5rDwng £7.50. . . 1 1Q 99
WiKkl Clist Ryto^ -- .NEW£T.5fl N.'A
1 SOFTWARE CIT
¥ SPECIALS |
0uk>K« Hill (Dhc Oruy^
,,,,,,£2.49
QfMR FORM ANlTlWOItmTlOrTj
All DrdeVt wnt RR3T tUM Subject 10
avolbibllily. HIE in Ita ttmpM tnd s«fid it 10: ■
SoApW City, \m 4, fi.O.C, £1 Temple ST,
Wolvarhipnpton". W?4AN.
— - ORDER FORM (Block CapklBls) - -
Cjibarliilrtd (Can) . . . i Ll »
Cybcr^Of U (Diic) . . m £3.49
EddTktDwt .....^ LJ.49
H.A.T.E ([^lOulrf ...£l.99
H.A.T.E. (Drpi OnJrp ■ ■ - -
H«iot Dal^rlh SW«r Match . , £2.99
iLioetikTTT...,
E.ojdi of Chior fC*U <* 4'm £4,99'
Mcvp Apocilypta nn- ,£1.99
(Juesiion Qtf Sport pp "NEW PRICE £0.99
SCFtftpfafa K f
Si iisi rslit I or 2
£2.49
NEW RELEASE
W WF
WRESTLING
Cassette £7.50
Disc £10.99
A VAILABLE
NOW!
NAME
ADDRESS;
POSTCODE:
TEL:,
N*rrw cr L**mt
Dompultf
VBtut
Poilag*
TOTAL
POSTAGE RATES: Pieas* add 50p for
peel & ppadiMtn^ on an orders grade-- Cfi
OvBrt^aiadfl £1.50 par item.
PAYING 8Y CHEQUE: Casques payable-
to BoiTwa re City
Enpiry daro
Spgna^rfl-,
Dart
- ..rr^^ir
MiasHrc-jrd
Amstrad User February 1992
9
■LETTERS
HAPPY
HUNTING
Does anybody have the instructions
for that old favourite Hunter Killer? I
purchased my copy from a local de-
partment store and, upon arrival at
home, found a drastic lack of instruc-
tions in the box +
If this is the norm, can somebody
please tell me what the key assign-
ments are. So far, I have worked out
I hat the square brackets control the
periscope direction . V alters the peri-
scope position and C swaps the control
room position.
Nowfor my second batch of lroubles,
one of which concerns those pesky
little things called sprites.
I have to date two sprite packages.
One being a professional package called
Supersprites, and the other is Axiom
Sprites, as provided by David Hall in
the July issue of ACU.
Page 10
Now, don't get
me wrong, I think
that they are both
very well written
and are fine for
your average , state
of the art, wallpa-
per programmer
but, due to my ever
increasing love of
programming, I
am in need of a
slightly more ad-
vanced packagen
Because of my rath er ru sly
knowledge of Z80 Machine
Code, I am appealing to all
those brave hearted
Amstrad keyboarders out
there to produce for me a sprite pack-
age which does the following:
Use of graphics coordinates for posi-
tion ing.
Ability to alternate between XOR and
ordinary plotting.
More than four frames allowed for
animation.
Creation tools such as local and glo-
bal copy, fill etc,
A saving module that saves only what
is needed, unlike many other packages
which end up saving over five blocks
on tape, just to show three wimpy little
sprites.
The ability not to plot, eg; the lefto-
ver wastage around your favourite bul-
let sprite*
Anybody who has used the standard
Arc Paint package will know of this
system of Masks,
Okay, so it may seem like an impos-
sible mission, but a reward will be
posted for the slayer of my eternal
problems (that's what you get for read-
ing too many adventure mags).
Note: Keep up the good work.
Luke Drumm, c/o 7fe Ballina
Medical Centre, Ballina, New South
Wales 2478, Australia,
Ziggy: Well, Luke's certainly set us
a tall order there, by the looks of it
Regarding his first problem, has
anybody out there got a copy of the
instructions for Hunter Killer? If
so * Luke would be more than grate-
ful to hear from you.
Moving on to the beef of the
question, Luke, you may find
Glynn c Davies* Easydraw proggie
well worth a look at for starters.
Featuring most of your specified
requirements as built in options, 1
know it isn't a specific sprite crea-
tion package, but it should be capa-
ble of producing most of everything
you should want
Obviously, you have worked your
way through the Sprites Alive Pack-
ages and commercial sprite making
proggies, otherwise you wouldn't
be writing. We at ACU will certainly
spend some time considering your
poser but, in the meantime, do any
of you readers know of something
that would fit Luke's bill? If so, let
us know and you will most certainly
reap the reward offered by Luke.
NONSENSE
I am an avid ACU fan but t in recent
months, 1 could not find any new issues
and the thought crossed my mind that
the publishing of ACU had stopped.
As a result of that, I was reluctant to
out a new subscription, in case I
Amstrad User February 1932
did not get it back. So + if I am wrong,
please could you correct me,
Alistair Coyne, Monagkan, Ireland
Ziggy: Here we go again, 1 know that
a tot of people have been experi-
encing difficulty in getting hold of
ACU recently but, let me assure
you, we have absolutely no plans to
cease publication.
The best thing for you to do is,
either take out a subscription, or
put in a regular order at your
newsagents to be sure of getting
hold of your fave mag.
We are still here and we ask you
to let us know of any difficulties you
may have in getting hold of the mag*
When we can work out which an as
are being blacked out, we can do
something positive about it. So let
us know, OK?
KWAH WHO?
Can anyone help me with /0^4i/ t as I
cannot get anywhere with it? All I have
in my inventory is a press pass and a
tape recorder. Someone help me.
please f
Andrew Carimdl, Brisbane,
Australia r
Ziggy; I don't think 1 remember too
much about that little offering, un-
fortunately. However, as your re-
quest was so short and sweet, I'm
sure one of our readers can help
you out somehow, If anyone out
there has a cheat sheet or some
clues as to how to get on in Kwah f
please let me know and I'll forward
them on to our lost Aussie friend.
MORE
RUMOURS
I have a few questions to ask. I am
thinking of purchasing a CPC 464 Plus,
1 already have the original 454, but I
heard a rumour that this is going to be
phased out, 1$ this true?
I would also like to know how many
ports there are for the paddle control-
lers and are normal joysticks compat-
ible.
John McMillan, Glasgow
PS: Could you tell me where 464+ cas-
sette games can be purchased t as I
haven't yet seen them where I pur :
chase my present games and software?
Amstratt User February 1992
Ziggp: Many questions require many
answers, so here goes* First of all,
the 464 Plus was designed to up-
grade the existing 464 so that^ if
the original 464 is getting a little
scarce by now, it is not really very
surprising.
Secondly, there are two paddle
ports on the plus machine and, yes ?
you can use normal joysticks if you
find the paddles too fiddly for your
liking.
Thirdly, all of the games in pro-
duction for the original 464 should
work just as well on the Plus ma-
chine* The two are basically the
same machine with a couple of
minor alterations and the facility
for playing cartridge based games
on the Plus. As a result, just pick
up your normal 464 cassettes if
you do want to upgrade.
If you don't, and even if Amstrad
has stepped down production on
the original 464, you should still
find plenty of games around for it
There is still a mammoth user
base of 464 owners, so weigh up
the pros and cons of upgrading
carefully before you decide. You
could also try looking in the Bits
section for secondhand machines,
as you might even pick up a disc
based machine on the cheap if you
prefer-
WHEELY
GOOD
1 have been buying racing games for
my Amstrad CPC but P when I play
racing games in the arcade, they are
much better. This is because they have
steering wheels which I can not find on
computers. Maybe you could fit one
onto the joystick port?
Please, please could you tell me if
you can buy any steering wheels or if
they are ever going to make any?
Stephen Richardson,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Ziggyj Well, I must admit that ac-
tual steering wheels are a bit of a
rarity on the home computer front,
frustrating though it is.
However, there are a couple of
yoke style joysticks on the market,
designed in the main for flight
simulator games, which may serve
a purpose for your needs,
Powerplay/Sonmax manufacture
one and there are a couple of others
on the market, such as the Zoomer,
though you may find some of these
out of your price range, as well as
being somewhat of an overkill, due
to their technical designs.
Why not ask at your computer
shop to have a look at the yoke
sticks on the market and see what
you think? Alternatively, have a
look at Spectravideo's pedal joy-
stick, currently on the market I
know it isn't a wheel, but the pedals
should give you a bit more of a feel
for your fave games.
LISTING
BLUES
I think your mag is great, as I get it
every month. However, there is one
thing about your mag that bugs me.
Whenever I get a magazine, 1 type out
tbe 1 (Winers but, 75% of them do not
work.
1 own a 46*1 and sonic of the com-
mands I see do not work, such as
Graphics Pen, Fill etc, which work on a
6128, but not on a 464 +
In the December issue, Fern was the
only demo that I could type out!
1 hope that you will make a double of
the 10-liner* a 464 version and a 664/
6128 version, to keep us all happy J find
it very f ru stratlng finding a big listing in
the back of the mag with Fill commands!
Thanks H
Chris Htne, Moome, Caffis Harbour,
NSW, Australia,
Ziggys Sorry to hear of your prob-
lems, Chris. We at ACU do our best
to ensure that as many as possible
of our 10- liners work on all CPC
machines but, when all is said and
done, all of the proggies we use are
sent in by you readers. We don't
like to tamper with them too much,
unless they don't work at all t of
course, and though most progjgies
should work on all machines, why
don't you 464 owners get together
and start sending in more of your
own proggies for publication? That
way, you should find yourself well
and truly catered for.
After all, the 10-liners and list-
ings section are for you readers, so
represent your own views by
sending in your own proggies and
weTl see that a balance is main-
tained throughout.
Page 11
Wow! Have we got a belter of a competition for you this
month! What's on oiler? One brand spanking new 9-pin
Panasonic printer. The KX-P1170, as reviewed in this
month's issue, to be exact.
To get your hands on this incredible prbe, just answer the three simple
questions below and get your answers in ASAP to make sure that you are
in with a winning chance. PS: A quick glance at the review may help you
out. Here goes;
1. What printer emulations does the KX-P1170 have?
2. What is the maximum print speed of the KX-P1170 in draft?
3. What level of graphics resolution
does the KX-P1 170 have?
ACU Power Print Compo,
Sunnvside Cottage, Carl ud don, St Austell,
Cornwall. PL26 STY.
The editor's decision is final.
Page 12
Amstrad User February 1992
SOFTWARE
L ML J -3
U 1 J\j
Acheton . .. ........ i .
£ 1 1 .95
A^on {With Murdac) .
£ 1 1 .95
fi . A . T. . .... i ...... j i l j 1 1
CZ0.95
Otfnta Tile Hint Boc k
Countdown To Doom
£1195
Dragons Of Flame £M.9S
£15.95
Giant Kilfcr(Matht Acjv) ...
£15.95
Hero Quest . . . .£9,50
£12-95
Hero Quftt R*t^
WLord . £5.9?
£7.99
Kingdom Of Hamll .......
£11.95
Lincalei {I2SK), 4 . F
£«5.95
Last Days Of Doo-m
£ll.9S
Philosophers Qiws-t .......
£H35
Pirates (6I2U only)
£ 1 5.95
Return To Doom . .
£11.95
Time ft Ma£k (1 2BK)
£11.95
Tolkein Trilogy £I0.9&
£14.95
ARCADE
Alien Stop*
,.£9.9S
£13.95
fl.A.T.. , ... r .,
4 rail r
£20.95
Battle Command . .
. .£9.50
£12.95
D*rkmaji . ....
..£9.50
£t2.95
Exterminator
£EI.95
Extreme
..£0 50
£13,95
Final flight
. £9.95
£13.95
Fli Combat Pilot . .
. £ 1 1 .95
£15-95
Gglden Axe
.£9 50
£11.95
Lotus Turbo Esprit .
..£9.50
£1195
Mer<s . ,
..£9.95
£13.95
Night Shift
r ,£9 95
£13.95
North & iouth
.£10.95
£13.95
Pit Fighter r .
. .£9.50
£14.95
Pndltor N
..£9.50
£1195
Prince erf Persia . . . .
..£0.50
£1195
ftlck Dangerous II . .
, .£8.50
£11.95
Rfibazene- l . .
..£930
£12.95
Shadow Dancer rr .
. . £9-95
Sim City .........
.£1095
£N.95
Smash T.V. .......
..£9.50
£F2.95
Super Monaco G.P.,
.,£930
£1195
Super Space invader
£9-50
£M95
SWAP (128k) . ...
£12,95
Termlmiar H . , . , ,
'.£9.50
1195
Thiind^rjawj
£14.9$
Total Recall
. .£9 so
£1X95
Toyota Celica. G.T. .
..£9.5D
£11.95
Twnrkan ll , , . .
,.£5.9S
£7.95
VtL f Bad Language!}
£0,SD
£11.95
3D Construction Kit
mM
£21.95
CARTRi
DGES
Barbarian II ......
.£21.95
&atm*n The Movie
.£21.95
Crazy Cirs II
■ 1 P P 1 ■< T !■
.£24.95
Wi £ Forget M , , .
1 1 1 1 ■ 1 1 1
- £24.95
Navf Seats , . .
Operation Thunderbolt
I I" a i lid i ■ ■ j i i ■ ■ i pi
Plotting .............
Pro Tennis.
Robocop II
£2t.95
£21.95
£3195
£21.95
Li $5
£2195
COMPILATIONS
C*PCQW£QLL Scridiril. LEOStonn. GhiGhcrtt, DynWmeut . <
CARTOON COLL Dizry. Cjs, SpJIw. Stymw. Higk.
□IZZr CQLLCHny, FFtwd, trlsDtzzy, rWOlnr. MLCHny
GRANDSTAND: Gnu, W.CI.LB^flPd. CsmiCiraui, Ptq T*pfc r , r ,
HOLLYWOOD COL: Rcbowp. GhBgsrlt.Bmm Hov, I.Jones SjC . ,
HftX PACK: Tumtan M^fo.St Dra^n, NlffeSMc
HOV=E PREMIERE Turtle. BfutlL GnntlL I Junto LC r r
SOCCER MANIA; F. Mngr ILF.Mngr W.Qj^.nPra«e W..^ma . ,
SUPER. SEGA 5^. Mwaoa, ES WAT. Cwto GaliJ Ai* Shineii
SUPER. Sr PACK: Inr JS> Tin. O Cji^ H. |l^ I W0, A Rii^fft- . . .
TOULTWLOGf: The Habtt Lor-d Of Amp. Sh^ws Fard*- . . . ,
VIRT. WOftLDk Drthr, Tool Edipw. GypC Gsdc Mister
CASS DISC
,,£H.n .-.£M.9i
..£15.95
.,£».15
,,.£lS.*5
..£10.95
..£15,95
.£S.5d
£11.95
£EP95
,£-J«
L
,£11-95
L
1 1 3.99
.£II.9S
STRATEGY/SIMULATION
CASS DISC
Ancient Batiks £11 95 £1 k95
Battle Of The Bu(ge £10.95 CUM
Blockbusters £7.95
Colouut 4.0 Bridge £9.95 £11.95
Colossits. 4.0 Chess ... £8. 50 £ 1 1 ,95
Crttt I94t £10.95 £11.95
Em. Hughes Arc Qui! £9-50 £l I -95
Em, Hughes int Soc £8,50 £1 1.95
Europ. Super League £1 1,95
FISStnktEajle £6-50 £11.95
F 16 Combat Pilot ...£11.95 £15.95
G unship ,£ll.9S £15.95
Kick Off M ,,£».S0 £11,95
Man. United Europe £9.95 £1195
Mindslrwhtri £15.95
Pirates (6 1 28 only) £15.9$
R.B.I. 2 baseball £9.50 £14.95
gabble Deluxe 6 1 28 £ 1 2.95
Silent Ssrvkt £8.50 £l L95
Super Monaco G .P. . , .£9.50 £ 1 2.95
SWAP(I281l) £1195
ToyouCelfcaG.T... r £M0 £tl-95
Tritf . FMnuit Genua £ E 1 .95 O 5.95
World Class Ru|£y . . , £9,50 , „ , ,
YttC^ftceflor £i5.95
3D Construction Kit £21 95 £2 1 -9$
BUSINESSiUTILITIES
Advanced Art Studio £19-95
AMX Extra Entm £20.95
AMX Mouse ft Art . , .£^-95 ^64-95
AMX Mouse ft Stop
Presj. ., r 4 r .......... . £74.95
Cr. Cmirt* Typing
(6120 +PCW)£20L9$
MwtertJfc 128 .(I2N0 £27.95
MasttrflklH {I2ftkjm95
Mini Office II + .£1195 £ 1^.95
Money Manager (+PCW) £24.95
Prospril ▼ ,£20-95
Protect ,,£I$.95£2I.9S
Sprites AHve Compiler £24.95
Stop Prew ......... .^28kJ £39.95
Tat-Slgn (6l2e+PCWJ, 1P £29.95
Tas-Spell ................ .£20.95
Tjidliry ,„ ,.,,..,_.£20.95
Taswprd 464, QQ.95 £ 24.95
Tasword 6128 £24.95
ACCESSORIES
Amstrad DDI Disc Drive ...£159,95
Amscrad FD I 2nd W** , , . , ,£99.95
Amttrad MP I + PS for 6- 1 28 £38 90
Amstrad MP I MOD. for 4*4 £28.95
Amstrad MP3 TV Tun
CTMW+, .£39,95
Ca-ssette AlrgnftWJit Kit £7.95
Cassette Lead ,£3-95
Cassette Recorder ....... . .£20.95
Cassette (Reorder le*di , . .£23.95
Cover DDI fFDI Dlic Drive , . ,£2,95
Caver DMP 2/5O0Q Series . . . .£4.95
Cover Set 464+ J i 1 28+ M/Col £8-95
Cover Set 444/* 1 2B Col ...£7.95
Disc Box 80 3.5", 50+ 3" £9.95
Dltc Drive Cleaner 3" . .£5.95
Discs 1" . . .£165 Ea h 5 for . . .£! 2.50
Dlffi* 3" IG For ...£23.95
FD I Ca We lor 1 28 . . . . . . £7.95
GenriftMoute t Adv Art £49.95
GeniusMlouse * Adv Art 6128 £49.95
joystick 5pimter £8=95
Ktvboird Ext Uids CPC+ . . . .£8.95
Keyboard Ext Lead* 464 £7.9£
Keyboard Ext Leads 6 128 .... . £8-95
Memory E*p. 64k 464/644 . . .£44.95
EDUCATION
PRE-SCHOOL
AGE CASS DISC
1st Steps Mr Men 4-3 £12-9$ rri „
Caesar's Travels 3-9 £12.95
Here there Mr Men*
4-8 £1195
PRIMARY WORD SKILLS
Mouse Mat .
. £4,95
Multlface II CPC/CPC+
.£46.95
Printer Cable CPC Imtr . . ..
..£8.95
Printer Cable CPC imtf
.1110-95
Printer Cable CPC+ Imtr . . .
. .£7 95
Pibbon ft*-|nk
,£11-95
Surge Protection Plug
.£1195
464-/6 128- Exp. Port Adap
£9,95
JOYSTICKS
A MS WD ytl , r .
...£7.95
CHEETAH Buf
..£13.95
CHEETAH HACH 1 .........
,.£ID.9S
CHEETAH Tortoise
. . . im
CHEETAH 125* ,., ++ -
. . .£8.95
COHPETITION PRQ50W
..£14.95
CRUISER Mblocoiaur .
,.,£9.95
KOMIX NAVIGATOR ........
KOMXSKEDKING., -
QUIGC$H0T TURSO 111
.,.£9.^
QUICK|0T JETf IGHTEB.
. .£K?5
STINGRAY
..£13.95
ZIPSTiCK SUrf R PRO
..£14.95
Betcfir Spelling
Early Words
Fun wnh w«*ds
Hipp y Writing
Pliy $ FteudPi I
FIlyARtidPll
Read R^rrt Awiy I
Read ftj#tc Aw*y1
Read R^jhc A*ay3
Wordfiin^
9+ £9.95
7- £8.50
3^£I0.?5
4+ £11.95
4-i£Jfl.95
M£9.95
fr-9£MS
7+ £99§
5+- £10.95
£lj.9S
£ 1 3.95
£ 1 1 .95
£15.95
£I5.9S
£14.95
£li,95
£12.95
£12.95
£1295
£15,95
PRINTERS
STAR LCM 9 Pin Mono . . . .£J79.95
SPEED (Pfci, co*)rl50 Draft. 3? NlQ
FEATURE 4 hlLQ Fonts, Double/
Quad Size Characters-. FrlctiOfi/
TnciOT F<*d. Pap<r Parking.
STAR LC200 9 Pin Zobvr £239.95
SPEED (Pin. ct-i):20Q High Sp.Dra/t
l50Drart,37NLQ
FEATURES:- Colour PtlrrtHw. 4 NLQ
Fonts, Double i'Qua-d Size, ?"apur
Park.
STAR LC^4i 10 24 Pin Mono £229.95
SPEED (Pica, cps): 150 Dr^ft L 50 LQ
FEATURES;- 4 Lett*r Ouilii^ Foma
Dotibl*JQuid 5lze Character,
Cutl^ftBi Shadow, Paper PirkiAg etc
PRIHARY MATHS SKILLS
Early Matfis 4-8 £5.95
Fun Wfth Numbers 7- £8.50
Happy Numbers 3^5 £10.95
Magic Malhi
Mip Rally
Primary Wachi
Tlmeman I
TlnMflWn 2
4.8 £8.95
7-11 £10.95
J- 1 2 £24.95
4-9 £10-95
4- 10 £10.95
1 1 3.95
£ 1 1 .95
£15.95
£12.95
£12.95
£24.95
CF5 95
£15,95
MATHEMATICS
Setter Haths
Micro Math«
Mega Maths
12*16 £9.95 £13-95
9- Ad £24.95 £24^.95
IS+ £24.95 £"24.95
SCIENCES
Biology I
Chemistry
Physic* I
12- 1 G £9,95 £13.95
I IM6£9.95 £15.95
1 1 I A £9.95 £13.95
LANGUAGES
Frwch MKtress I S + £ 1 195
German Ma*»r I It £13-95
Italian Tutiir 11+ £13.95
Spanish Tutor M+ £U-9S
Mi^ro English B-Ad £24.95
GENERAL
Funsdiool II
funschool II
f unidiool II
Funschoo III
Ririlthool III
Ftrischoc III
The Tlw« Bears
Oranny's Garden
Dragon World
Clant Killer
Answer Back Jnr
6- £950
6-3 £9,50
8+ £9.50
5- £10.95
5- 7 £10 95
74 £10.95
S+6128
6- 1 3 6 1 ze
6-10 6118
9-14
6-1 F £8.50
£16.95
£16.95
£16.95
£16.95
£24^.95
£11.95
£11-95
£11.95
£IJ.95
£13.95
£11.95
£12.95
£16.95
Q0.95
£15.95
£1195
QUESTION PACKS FOR
ANS BACK JNR
Arithmetic 6-H £4.9B
Spelling Ml £4.95
Nat. History ICH £4-95
IChh Cent. HIje 12+ £4.95
En^fishWonk 12* £4.95
W^Hd Gtojrapjiy £4.95 £7 95 j
i7.95
£7.95
£7.95
£7.95
Ah Printers art Supplied with a cable
and 1W reaoV to use.
Prtce$ include VAT and Postage.
I Day Securlcor Delivery Add £5;
PRINTER RIBBONS
QUANTITY
STWlLCIfl
STJNK14N0
LCMOHONQ
LQMCOL
I I
m m
5JQ IOjOO
HJS M.uC
5 10
16,25 Jfttt
lb.25 30-jOa
MM 3730
SEGA GAMES CONSOLES
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM ll
£59 99
Includes Control Pad, ftF Switch Box
Ma.rs Adaptor. Alex Kidd Game
ACCESSORIES
Additional Concrol Pad £6.99
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Light Phaser * Cartridfe £44.99
faster System Gamei from £9.99
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With Control Pao". Altered Beast
ACCESSORIES
Addfitonal Control Pad £ 1 4.99
Power Stick {Raphd fine) £34.99
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of Matter Sytran Game* £29.99
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Portibk Colour Games System
10% Off All Sep Games
Ow £15-00
Mi 1 System 5piderma^ £2&l99
M r System W.Cup Italia 90 £2249
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Qty
NEW GAMES AVAILABLE OH DAY OF RELEASE: PLEASE PHONE FOR AVAILABILITY
TELEPHONE ORDERS (0257) 42I9IS Hon - Fri 9,00-17.30 Sat 9.00- 1 2- 30 (Answerphone other times)
Description Prtce Name: r , .
r Address: ......
Tel No:
Dace:
Total . . . r k + . btt p 1*1 r + H h Y * ... £ Sign^ r .
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it SPECIAL OFFER * ALL SOFTWARE ORDERS OVER £15 RECEIVE A FREE CALCULATOR.
Amstrad User February 1932
13
DREAM WARRIOR
BY DAVID HALL
Yep! Mr Hall is back and his first dy-
namic Machine Code offering is a
Breakout Clone, featuring random ball
bouncing and wall patterns, as well as see how well you fare in this excellent
scoring and sound effects* proggie. Pressing the Space Bar will
Run it, get hold of your joystick and restart your game if you come unstuck.
10 h$= M * Dream Warrior *": g$ = "Point s * " : READ a$:l=30060:F
OR j = l TO 92 STEP 2 : POKE 1 , VAL { * M IDS ( a$ , j t 2 ) ) : 1 = 1 + 1 : NEXT ;
1=9999 ; q=l ; FOR k=l TO 8 ; READ a$;FOR t=l TO LEN(a$) STEP 2:1=
1+1: POKE 1 , VAL ( +MIDS ( a$ , t , 2 ) ) : NEXT : NEXT : MODE 0 ; PAPER 0:CL
S: BORDER 0 [El]
20 PLOT 62, 44: FOR t = l TO 2 : DRAWR 0 , 308 , 8 : DRAWR 520,0 : DRAWR 0
,-308: DRAWR -520,0 : HOVER -4,2; NEXT : LOCATE 3,24: PEN 6: PRINT g
$;:PEN 12: LOCATE i,2:PRINT h$ : DATA 0 100O046O000Of 06000002000
04800000f 06000001 OOOOOOOOOOOf 03000057414C4C204 445535 4524F5 94
5442021 [40]
30 a$ = "* GAME OVER *" : INK 0,0: INK 5,15: CALL q+1: PAPER 0 : PEN
7: LOCATE 4, 15: PR I NT a$ : WHILE INKEY$<>" " : WEND : PLOT 66,350,0
:FOR t-1 TO 152: DRAWR 508.0: MOVER -508 , -2 ; NEXT : FOR k=l TO 50
8 : NEXT : GOTO 30 : DATA CDF1 27CD74 273E02329C4A3 2 9D4A2164EE229065
2114EE2230753E [A7]
40 DATA 01323275323375CD2E28CD2E28CD6627CD24283A9C4AFSCD6429
8O0E05CDCD27 32E980214CF8CPC52 70E08CDCD274FO60BCD26BC1OFBOD20
F6CD26BC7EFEO0 [6F]
50 DATA
FE1220BBC917.1717*
11DC2
28037718DC3630 [7F]
60 DATA 2B18F20E2206C810FE0D2QF9C93E4ACD1EBB201C3E4BCD1EBB28
202A906511 08001 97EFE00201 42A9065 232 2906 5 1 80B2A9065 2B7EFE0020
7 5CD29BC06047EFEOG200C2310F82A3075CD2 9BCC3212 9CD8A2 9DD21D084
3E2432409CDD66 [96]
70 DATA 01DD6E00060BCD26BC10FB2B2B060C7EFE0528102310F8DD23DD
AFDD7701DD77002 14771 341 80C2 1 6C75CDAABC2 1 767 5C3AABC3E0FF53286
75328575218075CDAAB006FA001 0FDF1 3D20EAC93A327 5FEQ228 1 92A307 5
2B06067EFE0020 [EA]
80 DATA 27CD26RC10F6 2A307 5 2B22307 5 1 8 2B2 A3 0 7 5 1 10 400 1 906067EFE
3375EE03323375 [73]
90 DATA OE04CDCD27329C4AC3E1282A3075CD26BCC32129118C2ACD5F28
2A3075118C2
107ECD5ABBCD24 282 31D2
CFCFCFCFCE [82]
100 DATA 8830CFCFCFCFCFCE8830CFCFCFCFCFCE8844CCCCCCCCCCCC884
4CCCCCCCCCCCC000O00O00O0 0O00O0 00 0 5 0F0F0F0F0A0 0O0 0F030FOF0F0F
[El
[El
El
EI
40
40
40
4 0
[A7
A7
[A7
A7
6F
6F]
6F
6F]
7F
7F
7F
7F
96
96
96
96
[EA
EA
[EA
EA
7 3
73
73
7 3
82
82
82
82
65
6 5
65
65
000 [65]
Page 14
Amstrad User February 1992
CENTRETEXT
BY PETER WILKINS
Here's a handy routine to allow you to
write text to the centre of the screen.
All you do is specify the starting point
for your text, then write it out- Couldn't
be simpler and it's sure to promote
quite afew variations in the near future.
10
' TEXT CENTRE ROUTINE (CJ PETER WILKINS
1991 [Fl]
20
MODE 2 [EE]
[85] .
w
o U
LOCATE 1,20: PR I NT" ENTER Y VALUE 1 TO 25 "
[BB]
40
LOCATE 1,21: PRINT SPACES ( 79 ): LOCATE 1,
21 :
INPUT MY
50
LOCATE 1,22: PRINT" ENTER TEXT" [E3]
[EB]
60
LOCATE 1 , 23 : PRINT SPACES (79); LOCATE 1,
23 :
INPUT M$
70
TAG [F6]
8]
80
MOVE < 80-LEN(M$) J/2*7 t 415-(MY*16) [8
I 90
PRINT M$; [5D]
10(
3 M$= " " : TAGOFF : GOTO 30 [6F]
■
MENDISP
BY PETER WILKINS
Something useful here, to help you
remember the key points in your C PC's
memory. Simply enter the area you
wish to search, from 0 to 65535 and see
what you can find. Along the way, you
should find this little proggie in there
somewhere. Happy hunting.
10 1 MEMORY DISPLAY <C) PETER WILKINS 1991 [Fl]
20 INPUT" START ADDRESS" ; S : IF S<0 OR S>65535 THEN GOTO 20 [EC]
30 INPUT" END ADDRESS" ; F : IF F<S OR F>65535 THEN GOTO 30 [CE]
40 INK 0,0: INK 1,15: BORDER 0 : MODE 2:ADD=S [C6]
50 MEM=PEEK( ADD ) [44]
60 IF MEM>31 AND MEM<129 THEN C$=CHR$(MEM) ELSE C$=" " [D9]
70 PRINT ADD ;TAB( 10 ) ; MEM ; TAB( 20 ) ; C$ [72]
80 ADD=ADD+1 [AC]
90 IF ADD-F+1 THEN STOP [E2]
100 GOTO 50 [A4]
1 ' +++
2 ' +++ b
3 ' [ 73 J
10 a=4000
£0 READ c
30 PEN 3 :
40 PRINT"
50 PRINT"
SO DATA 1
70 DATA 2
80 DATA 1
90 DATA 1
100 DATA
BaSiC ExTrA +++ [71]
y David Hal 1 + t+ t 7 2 1
0 i MEMORY a-l:FOR t = e TO a+41 [IE]
:POKE t , c : NEXT r CALL a : CLS [79]
PRINT "New commands -" ; PEN 2 [B2]
! INVERSE -Swaps INK + PAPER colours
\ BEEP -Beep sound !":PEN 1 : NEW 133]
,78,156,33,74,156,205,20 9, 188 [DO]
01 .0,0,0,0,86, 15 6, 195 , 98, 156 [3D]
95, 101 , 156, 7 3 ,78 ,86, 69,82 ,83 [96]
9 7 ,66 , 69,69 ,208,0, 195 , 156, 197 [F8]
62,7.195,90,187 [DD]
[EB]
BASIC+
BY DAVID HALL
Basically, this little routine adds two
new commands to the Basic list. :BEEP
makes the computer beep sound, while
INVERSE swaps the pen and paper
colours.
It may not sound much, but the sec-
ond new RSX command should defi-
nitely prove useful.
Amstrad User February 1932
Page IS
URGE
BY DOUGAL KENNEDY
This is a superb pick-em-up game,
which sees you controlling the blue
cross with your joystick. The aim is to
collect all of the gold coins on the
screen without touching any of the
red nasties. You also have to beat the
clock, so move fast and look out for
the big scoring blue crystals as well.
Get going and good luck.
10 bm=900: li=3 :hi=10000 : h$= "Ams t rad" : 1=1 : bo=900 : g = 10 : nb=50 : S
YMBOL 255 , 129, 1 29 , 102 , 24 , 24 , 102 , 129 , 129 ; SYMBOL 254, 60 , 66 , 165
,129,129.165, 66, 60 : SYMBOL 253 ,24 .36, 102, 153, 153, 102, 36 ,24: SY
MBOL 252,60, 126 , 94 , 159, 159,255 : st$= M By Dougal Kennedy
20 q=l: BORDER 17 : FOR i=40 TO 0 STEP -l:FOR j = 0 TO 30:NEXT:OU
T &BC00.1:OUT &BD00 , i : NEXT : PAPER 0 : MODE 1 : SYMBOL 251,16,40,6
8, 108. 56 , 56, 16, 16:LOCATE 18,1: PEN 1 : PRINT "URGE" : LOCATE 28,2
5: PEN 2: PRINT "TIME" ; bo ; LOCATE 1,24: PRINT"SCORE" ; s ; TAB ( 30 ) ; "
LEVEL" ;1 [9E]
30 PRINT h$,hi:F0R i=l TO g : LOCATE INT (RND*40 ) +1 , INT( RND*22 )
+2: PRINT CHR$( 254) : NEXT: PEN 3 : FOR i=l TO nb : LOCATE INT (RND* 4
0)+l , INT(RND*22)+2 : PRINT CHR$ ( 253 ): NEXT ; PEN 1 ; LOCATE 20,12:P
RINT CHRS { 252 )+ H M : LOCATE INT (END* 4 ) +1 , I NT ( RND* 22 ) +2 : PRINT C
HR$(251) [30]
40 n=30:ms5 :x=n: y=m: INK 0,0:INK 1,11:INK 2,24rINK 3,6:PEN 2:
d=INT(RND*25) -FOR i=l TO 40: FOR j = 0 TO 30: NEXT: OUT &BC0O,l:O
UT &BD00, i : NEXT: BORDER 0:IF d=l THEN LOCATE INT (RND* 3 9 ) +1 , IN
T(RND*22)+2:PRINT CHR$ { 186 ): BORDER 6 , 0 : G=G+RND* 5+5 : INK 3,15
ELSE BORDER 0 [64]
50 LOCATE x,y:PEN 1: PRINT CHR$ ( 255 ) : PEN 3 : LOCATE 32,25: PRINT
bo:r=INKEY{72)+l+(INKEY(73>+l >*2+( INKEY(74)+1 >*4+{ INKEY<75)
+1)*8:IF r>0 THEN SOUND 1,239,5,15: SOUND 2 , 1 90 , 5 , 1 5 : SOUND 4,
159,5.15:L0CATE 28,1:PRINT MID$ (st* , q, 7) :q=q+l : IF q=LEN{ st $ )
-7 THEN q=l [AA]
60 n=x:m=y:IF r=l AND y>2 THEN y=y-l ELSE IF r=2 AND y<23 TH
EN y=y+l ELSE IF r=4 AND x>l THEN x=x-l ELSE IF r=8 AND x<40
THEN x=x+l [7D]
70 LOCATE x,y :a = ASC(COPYCHR$UO) ) : IF a = 254 THEN s = s+ 100*1 EL
SE IF a=253 THEN GOSUB 90 ELSE IF a=252 THEN nb=nb+5 : bm= INT(
bm-(bm/10} ): 1=1+1 :bo-bm: GOTO 20 ELSE IF a=251 THEN bo=bo+200
:s = s+(1000*U74) } ELSE IF a=186 THEN s = s + l 0000 : INK 1,26:INK
0,3: BORDER 3 [63]
80 bo=bo-2:IF bo<l THEN li=0: GOSUB 90 ELSE PEN 2 : LOCATE 6,24
: PRINT s:PEN 3 : LOCATE 17,24: PRINT li-PEN 1 : LOCATE n,m: PRINT
" " ; LOCATE x,y:PRINT CHR$ ( 255 ): GOTO 50 [2C]
90 li=li-l:IF li>0 THEN RETURN ELSE LOCATE n , no : PRINT " " : PEN
2: LOCATE 15,12:PRINT CHR$ { 22 ) CHR$ { 1 ) "GAME OVER" : IF s>hi THE
N 100 ELSE PEN 1: LOCATE 12 . 13 ; PRINT" ANY KEY TO START " CHRS ( 22
) CHR$ (0); CLEAR INPUT : CALL &BB18 : nb= 50 : 1 = 1 : 1 i = 3 : bin- 900 : bo = 900
: s=0:GOTO 20 [7A]
100. CLEAR INPUT: INK 3,15,6: BORDER 5 : LOCATE 1,20: PR I NT CHRS { 2
2 }CHR$ (0) : INPUT " You Got A New Hi score Please Ente
r Your Name (10 Letters max) ";h$:PRINT CHRS { 22 ) CHRS ( 1) : IF L
EN{b$>>lG THEN 100 ELSE hi=s:INK 3,6: BORDER 0:GOTO 90 [DF]
A2 ]
A2 ]
A2 ]
A 2 ]
9E]
9E]
9E J
9E]
30]
30]
30]
30]
64]
J
64]
64 ]
AA]
AA]
AA]
AA]
7D]
7D]
63]
63 ]
63]
63]
2C]
2C]
7A]
7A]
7A]
7A]
DF]
DF]
DF]
Page 16
Amstratt User February 1992
TENSTAR GAMES PACK
A ATARI ST
520ST-E DISCOVERY
XTRA PACK
l J r k » 1 . * ■ I J J I* i ■. * -
GC3
°s
104€$u FAMILY
CURRICULUM PACK
th& F&ffllfy CuriiciHwn Pack
comes witfi a 104DST^£ com-
puter .and mouse plus 5 software
moduFes (3 iHlas in sacti^on&fr
s^ary age range, Trve tamftma-
tion fli Grjurjatlon, creative and
business software from Atari,
plus the FREE smenainmerirt and
pruductiviiy pacha lnom Silica,
makes for a package- the whole
lajiilty can enjoy I
PLUS! FRM£ HOLIDAY ACCOM
1Mb + MOUSE
1. PLAT & LEARN tf&W
2. UHlQR SCHOOL ; BfcSi
3 GCSE REVISION tSAM
i BUSINESS COMPU TING ... E1SU0
5. CHEAJIVE COMPUriflG .... C134.W
PUJSI FREE FROM StUCA
tenstar pack r fmn
PRODUCTIVITY PACK FWMJ?
IDWII. WLLUf; E1210.23
VOW Sd/F; £81t.»
61SK iSOST* ♦ MOUSE
ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE:
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OflAGONS SHEATH - AftWlfefflf
INDIANA J OWES ■ jlrcjrfe Afr
SUPER -CTCLE - Rtt&JTff &*mv
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE?
CONTflQL.ACC ^ UMcly Sotfwaf* .
EMUtATOR.ACC - Soffwar* .
FIHSt BASIC ■ PrnigrtjHMj'i^ : ..
NEOCHHOME - AjT ftfcJurg*
ST TDUfl - fttortif _ ,™„™,
JOYSTICK CONTROLLER;
ATARI CX*0 JOYSTICK _
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PROOUCTiWTY PACK _„ ._
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TOTAL VALUE: £«34-M
TOO sm.- IWili
SILICA PfllK ■ INC Yff + FREE DELI'/ER*
ATARI S20ST-FM
DISCOVERY PACK
m W4 FRE£ DELIVER + FSEE rENSTAH & PROBUCIWIV PACKS.
ATARI ST ■ MORE THAN JUST GREAT GAMES!
FROM SILICA ATADI
WITH EVERY AIAKI
Ths TenStar Gani#s Pack is THE soft ware
compendium for Atari ST owners, featuring ten top
titles with a variety of different typos of games for
you to enjoy. Each tirje is packaged In its own
plastic case, with a colour sleeve and full
instructions. The TenStar Games Pack is FREE!
when yoy buy your ST from Silica Systems.
\FREiP m £219.78
TENSTAR GAMES PACK
fj m SILICA SYSTEMS ST
I PRODUCTIVITY PACK
Eve. y Ana-': ST f*im Silica comes *v1h a FREE Si&ca ST PjgOudivHy P»:k,
wodh <w ClQfr a*Gk has been specially pul toggih&r by Silica fca help
yvu \o gfi* id grips wilh tha prDi&uctfve £di 01
cwnpuling iram day one, Each litre b**fi 1rled
ans tested by lens cri ih&4s*nde flf Ata^ ST a*me#E,
who Have biguft #c*d pfMesningi witii let Wtord
and pr^riuYirtimg M\t\ ALari ST Basic.
i»t wo Fto - ifpnn car , cst.w
SPILL, ITI - tor uet wrih 1sl WOflD OI-»
Wifh lultrUI £24.rjQ
ST BASK
TOTAL RRP: £104.97
f pafi t* NIGHTS HOLIDAY
I, HOTEL ACCOM MODATtQW
every Aia/i ST hnn> SittCA copies «I1M a FR:EE 72 pags, fu
brDChure wHh aKommodalion vOn*h*r*. Thaae uoudiere
ddppI* 14 943ty up 1q 16 nights in c**b hotel in*
any nuiribor at f*:M\n 1o a 1ota : '6 nights)
"Aim aC00Ri»ricjd*Tl|ii?n FHE1: (y^ki CQUM take
up to tut nighta for rou* p*ftple. -or dh*f
opllpna) . Choou trom me 250 hofri* J*atgrad
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your mBBls ^pricea am hfloO m tn« hrachurej ,
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hotels in Franca are- alao fsa^ursd.
II Colour
entitle -2
f TOTAL FREE PACKAGE)
TENSTAR GAMES PACK - E219.78:
Asterix - By CqMsi Vktsn £24.99
Chess Player Z150 ~ sy CP £&ftwaw . , £24.95
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Onslaught ■ By H&waon - £19.99
Pipe Mania - sy Empim Software ,.. £24.99
Rick Dangerous - By Firebird £24.99
Rock n' Roll -By Rainbow An* £19.99
Skweek - By US Qofd -
Trivial Purstirt - By Domsi* E1935
PRODUCTIVITY PACK - E104S7I
1st Word - Wwd Processor * £59.99
Spell K! ■ Spefi ChecJtpr . C19 ,99
ST Basle ■ Programming Language £24.99
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FREE!
WORTH
NEARLY
PLUS!
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
SILICA SYSTEMS OFFER YOU
■ FREE QWERNtCHr COURIER DELIVERY: Dn ail hardware cmJeri shifted In tire UK,
■ TECMNiCAL SupPOHT HELPLINE: ream -oT Atari technical f xperis ii >«ur £*ryiM,
# PfttCE MATCH: We nojmally match comrwtHofs an a "Same ptfjduct - Same prwe" basis
■ ESTABLISHES 12 YEARS: Proven tracx record in professionel ^mputar sates.
■ BUSINESS * EDUCATION + GOVERNMENT; Volume discounts available Par la^ o^ers
■ SHOWROOMS: Demcn5tratjgn and training Tacihties at our London & Sldcup kMancires.
• THE FULL STOCK MANGE: Ail Ql your Alan fe^tiimemenis ffOFrt OfM sup4Hi*r.
* FREE CATALOGUES: Will be mailed io you vrtth offafs and softw^na/perir^tgf^l d&aalte.
» PAYMENT: By casti, cMegue and all major credM cards.
B-elom you decde when 10 buy yO^r new Atari ST cornpular. we you think very carelully aboul
WHERE you buy it. COrtSltfSf What 11 wUI &e 2ika a *ew momh* a1t«r buying your ST, when you may r*-
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■parr^ you buy from contact ytM wUh dateilg oi naw pmdu<t«7 W SH^a S-yeBama, wa ensure thai you
wih have nolftiftg 10 worry abOUl- We haua baen eetablcshed iOr O^if 1? ^eaca and, wilh our unri^l«d
ewparience and eMperills*, ^* c*n now claim ta meel our csuSlO«tt*r& njqulrifnants with an undaFttm-
ding which ia aacond to nOn*. Bui eton't \v$t taka oyr word tor IE. dornp*Srt* find fejuin lha cotton no*
for our Ha1a&1 Free StarAJturt *rtd b*sin Jo anpenanca 1he '"Eilkat Syilsm* &*r^l«T'-
MAIL ORDER: 1-d fhe Uuwk Kalhericy Rd, SidcugK Kent, flAtt «DK ft!: B81-309 1111
j>H^ UftW Pp^ft; Mofi-Sai BjQOHrr Sjrjp'P t*j\*# Htght Ppfntfl Fm NO : Off^-308 OWfl
SHOP 52 Tuttenham Omifl Road, London, WIP OBA Foil 971-580 *W0
Cipap-ng Ileum: MfW-m jJOumiH^n Utto rt^hl: Tlvjrpj>¥j ywajQW
LONDON tSELFRIDSESJ li^Lofli; 369 Oxford Street. LondOfl, W1A 1AB
SIDCUP SHOP: M Ihe Me^, Hiftf»dw RdTSidcup, Kent,
W: Q71-82S 1C
fan ho otn adti 0017
WriMr-yW&:
Address:
initials: ,
SILICA
SYSTEMS
[ to: Silica Systems, Dfept ACUSR-QZ92^Sa. 14 The Me#5. Hatherley Rd ; S^deup, Kent, DA14 40X
1 1 PLEASE SEHD FREE ATARI COLOUR CATALOGUE I
I
I
m - 4 b »■ H i------- UJJ--LI I I IJJILI I I I I 1 1 L I: I I I I I I I Ill'PI I 111 ! ■ ■ - - M
. ■'■■■■LLbUJJiLLi i i iijiiiii i i imri i i iinrri im^--"r' - ■ ■ - ■
| PaatDDda-: - Tel:
,,, Su-rfigrna:
i4«nrrri , niisrl^ __ --M ■
■ ■■ i i iniirr
I
I
I
^mien oomputeKs), if @
Which comptiterfs), if a.ny. dp you dwn? „,„.„ rr „ 2 ....„.„
k MAIL ORDEfl HOTLINE
081-309 1111
asse
things ■ technical, ; A^Hght
ino
write in ^
::^^J: : -&e^r : yo§ ciy^.^fi=;a^al^ at:
Itghtperi is: a Clever Meet thai; allows
.you; ;faj ? draw onto the ■ icarcen- ¥m ; I'
'tepr ^v%$g£ felt .-t^^.^weaa" jE^a.tf-^-^k*'
i:-;-this». but it isri'i very eted^ome &21
71ie"^e^^rat jts^flffit.' the ^i^oli?!;:
: works ouf wWch':ipoiiit oi^^'. screen
<i$<m are holdiiig t}te peii :pt 7 ^nd:$^
k' ; me^:^i|^.- Bayjd ; Dimbieby also
■ Us ft> get ^nerab
to draw biige great red raiarfes an ai&ap
of the Middle East J^iy^ay, Jonstt^
... v^sitf
: stgijaj- 'Is; sitoated" : ; here/ Or? >%^SI
^v^l : r;. ' : i:i :;y
2010 PEN v I;LOGATj
JL.J
V
V 1 ?
^6u!d:.j^d^ just aft well with a CPC
as wftti .oih^jf ; Myoii wish
: wheti ytm afebiil# use the j* >ystick pprt
2060 IS? ?<1U THEN $i*mtt
21D0IF xl^O AND y l^ll^EN 2035
; Tftf $bove E^Iv ifetiiig i£ a Mmpfe
&e Sft> niaiii tubroiitia^ you will ae*^d
to include In own : pro ; gram^ + . At
fee st^t of any prbgprm^-^ wdte,
• roupii^. calibrates tbe pe& Note
p^w.Thes^or^tOu^iie at iOOQshould
be used wheflecerypu needto calculate
the pen's position, it wll return bm
coordinate valuer mx (horizontal HO)
and y (vertical 1-25),
Unfortunately the pen k only really
accurate to one character position and
cannot be used to select indivli|^ ;
pixels, so if you intended to
hires with it then a mouse mij
fetter investment. Having said this,
the light-pen is ideal for many other
appl&ations including selecting menus
and should give you much enjoyment
Have fun! On answer toyour ES. P you ve
only got a few column inches to wait!)
Not wanting to stand between
Jonathan and his assembler, 111 make
this brief. AH correspondence regarding
the Tech ie Bit h extremely welcome
and can he sent to the address at the
front of die magasane. Acouple of people
have asked if problems/$ue$e$ can be
sent to this column, the answer M of
course YES! Similarly, if you've gotany
liandy hints Vtips on m/e
progiWiming theft I'd be delighted to
hear fifotnyoti;
Hex Edttc^fioai -Hie Assembler
i-l^S B^R'E!f¥eshideea,ACU'svery
own assembler has arrived at last After
months of slaving over a hot keyboard
(well warmish anyway), ACU can now
give its readers an exclusive
tjpporrunity to obtain diLsHttlegem, No
more grappling with cryptic text editors
or becoming lost in strange
development environments, now
assembly language instructions can be
freely mixed with BASIC statements.
How is ihis possible I hear youcry ,
take^ look: at the listing below:
;short machine code
10 1 He
program...
201
30 'am MM
40 'ti> JiUmessage
^ t loopilX>a t te)
€0 'CP
SS'INCHL
^^•TPloop
»S0^mes^^;
,115,101
110 „and hS8&|$p
120MODE2
MAW iNT(END^S#
130-KMT
r {Sac.
NT
Lines 30-120 use assembly
instructions while lines J20-150 employ
standard BASIC commands, T>pixjg
RUN will cause the BASIC program to
be executed in the normal way. Once
the new asseftibler is loaded, typing
[ASM will turn all the assembly
mstructkms into m^ine Tliis
cm then be executed by CALL &7QQ6.
N o tice ho w li ne s of asse mbly
language start with an apostrophe <V
thus making them invisible to the
BASIC interpreter. The assembler* on
the other hand, will only look at such
^ies and will ignore any BASIC
statements that it might come across,
hi this way, two fundamentally d ifferenf
types of programs! can he kept in
memory and developed
simultaneously.
; Even if you have no desire to mbc the
two. ACtFs new assembler still has a
lot to offer > pifiticuLirry for be&inners.
it^kiiii? the plunge into machine code
ffsrogr am nnng can be a daiu ntin g
experience, butyour fi rsttentative steps,
can now be made a lot less painful.
Wliat easier Way to start Off than by
using the familiar BASIC editing
fuiK^ionSitypingassemblymstructions
i n a BASIC-style li stings, and then being
".able; to-^aye/I.<^d/|)iSiri^st them in
Me, usual way .
tt is for all these reasons that ni tore
"Hex Education' columns will be
designed specifically with this new
assembler in mind. The listings given
shouystiuw^konexisWngasseiiibk'rs
with only minor rauMeatioos, but why
:aot save you rself the trouble and order
your yery own copy of the ACU
assembler lODAY!
Once you've got your hands on a
copy (an ORIGLNALcopythatisI) using
it is dead easy-inseitme tape/disk and
type RUN'ACIJ^^': ACUA* is a
simple loader which executes the
f o ilo win g commaftd s ; M EM O lit
SW^LaAD^ASMCO^E.B^eAI.L
;?&8GO0
AC U Assembler v l , 0
(c) 1991 Simon Watson
Initialised,..
Yqu should be rewarded With the
ahove message that Mcates; alf i^ well
aMth^thfe as^rifl&lexisr^^
its stuff/The : asselM^^82L now b£
accessed by using one ot •l-w'e'
commands, JA^ and ilABEt Oite 1*
svmbol can W obtained by pressing
Mate asseiol^ |*r<K;ess,. and to
no p^raiEetersvTypmgMIn tfn^mode;
j&o fine number) tn^^t mult hi the
Pass2...
No assembly retimrai
^otroe code) hi two
fi rst pass it simply constructs aKst of all
flie labels youVe defmed, whOe on me
second pass it actually generates the
machine cade (object code) la the
above example after completing the
secoft dpass die message 'Ho assembly
required' appears* Indicating that the
assembler could not tind any lines to
assemble. If you now type in me listing
at the start of this section foDowesd by
1ASM t the final message displayed
should be Assembly completed at line
J2Q'. Try adding line;..
.followed by {ASM. Because this
label was defined earlier on in the listing
(line 50) I an error will be generated on
Pass 1 andme assembly processhalted.
Other errors may only he found on
Pass 2 but the end result, is still the
same assembly will not continue until
the cause of the error is removed .
As previously mentioned* the
assembler will only recognise lines
starting with an apostrophe. In order to
be a bit more flexible, a further
retiuirement is mat lines of assembler
mu^: be e nciosedbyfand ] symhtils at
tlie start and end respectively, lines
outside these brackets will simply be
ignored, m our example listing mese
symbols can ibe seen at lines 20 and
100, thus onJj? flnes2^1Q0 are vetted by
ttie assemble^ If Mae iCfO'.was delelen;
then the assembler would ioiOhk; at line
1 10 and display an error. You may use
as many {,1 symbolg ^ as required, and
may omit the 1 sym?>ol These brackets
Caii be |bosug|it of as switches with [
eftahlil^g theassemblet m$} msabSng
it.
BefiMre a^semfcier can generate
any object code it needs to be told
where to place it This is achieved by
the use of the ORG statement ORG
&70i^y?ould tell th e ass^iftfeler to start
placing ai } stibse^uei it nrndbfee code
trotti ^lOQf onwards.- The assemhla*
n^st haye ^ftoOuai ered an OEC before
your ^stmnemonic otherwise an ehor
wiH he generate?!,
: Hfere. ; i!*;-a'teehJt^
■ ACU;^s#ernhler vLO:
Fifes needed: ^ASMCO^E.B^^ (pfu%
optional ^ACUASM* loader)
length: M%m ■ : ^ry; : ::: .
^^fi^Hide^d :' switches:- enables
assembler, ( disables it
Directives supported; ORG, EQ ti,
DEFB/DB, DEFW; DW/DEFS, M
(note thai ORG mil EQU must be
followed by Bumbers, not labels)
Line format (line number) '{label)
(nwemonic) (comineat^ e.g> 10 'start;
Id a,65 ;load the ammiulator wMs 65
4j)I3e Yet 37 loop; 156 4 ;eoroment
Upper/tower case mt important and
may be mixed
Eafcels: Maximum length of 1$
ebatactei^ Mmt mi start with ^ May
contain spaces. Must be temlinated
^th a colon,
Mnemonics Maximum ten#ih of SO
characters, Official 280 insinictipns
only.
Comments; No maximum length. Can
contoiamiycHamcters, MuststaitWith
a semi-colom
Numbers: Supports dfcipal,
hexadecimal {must siart with &} , (as
paramefo*r^ binary (must start with
Bus and mbius sighs may be
used ai the start e,g>&lc, +32, ^feXll.
Arithmetic ex pre saigas are not
supported e*g, use ID &7 instead of
LD Straig^ not accepted e,g, use
LI) AM instead of J J) A*T Labels may
be used where Ifrhit numbers are
required LD HLiabel
Here is a list of all the error
messages/reports together with a
description of what they mean and why
they ocmn
the assembler encountered a valid
mnemonic before ait 080 statement
had been issued. Every progmm rntist
start with ORG Walter a f ^course!) :
lkkik>wnn^
Specified line contains a mnemonic that
the assembler does notreajpitee* Most
likely cause isa simple typing eow
UL0 AjX- :
Mitefitowc part of Jine is more than 68
characters. This earn only occur if
line in question us^s DKFB (DB) or
DEFW (DWJ.
'The rimemortic yon have
requires a parameter which i$tpi$§iftg
hsmi specified contains
characters e,& il>A,TOR 9
m (t&i},&m\ add mmi :^
A number you have specified ris too
^aall or too hr.g&< Ail aiimbers above
65555 or below -128 will Mtom^c^y
he i^m&d tis- HL.7000O ID 4*
12?mW655^0RG&EI2:gln addition,
if a number exceeds 255 where aiiS4)at
number is essjsected this error will occur
e;g'; LD DB 300 AND
MlOOOlOOll
The assemble was expecting a number
between -l^and 127e.g.LD (DC±20G), I
You attempted to use an isdex register
without speeding an offset e g; LD
KW should be writteoml^^
A relative jump has been used but Hie
desdnalion ad dress is toofar away from
the current value of the program
counter register*
^ad parameter
Aparameteryou have given isriof valid.
This will occur when any of the above
fi?£ error messages ate not suitable, &
cojiiraon situation is the misuse of
commas in a DEFB /DEFW etc
statement e*g, DB m or DW 1,2X4
You have defined a labeiwhich is more
than 18 characters m length.
The label starts with a & symbol * this
b not allowed - or the fine contains
more than one colon ,
Dup^cate kbel foudd
Thelabelyou wish to delmehas already
been defined.
Tlte label you bave specified has not
vet been definM,
EOtl without fei^
E^e*^ECPJ statenk
dfe^ied on the saiiw ]jne> ;
^fti have attetr^pted to position object
cxKle Jn an address wMch k eurrently
u«ed by the asseniMer or its label lable,
nothing to Ho with Brixtott ptiSCH^
It Bimp^y means that ymi preset ffie
Escape key teing the a^embly
; Ttie adiml ctMe lor the a^s^bler
program Itself is $mr®& |rnm &8£Mi ia })
my lab els yo u have defined is storcM
from SrTVW downwards in a label:!
table', Bear in mind fb^;tl^
dynamic and its precise size ^^vs^y
according to the length and niiM)er:iM
the Jabels you use (see below); The
assembler will do • its ;bagt-: to; prolssM
itself and to prev^it any object code :
overwriting it Having said ihm r ii is not
impossible to trip it or fer your m/tr
programs to directly poke vMiiei into
its spsce; so be care&tl!
To di^lay the value of any labeBybu
have defined, use the JLABEL
ctuiimand, Fimt3y, place the label yi>u
wish to search for into a string e.g. AM
diexi type j-lABEL@A$. If .the Ia?)el h
|&ujidihen rts value will be displayed m
decimal form, a^ilmifflHWffl
uri
30 f ]abell: RET
40labei2:
■5C> t)RG &7500
60 v kbel&
7() labeH: EQU
; 1f>pe in the^bove pr^rans followed
by tASM aftd use ther fijeyjod^^
described to find values for each of the
four labels The results should be 0^6?!3
(&7000L 28*573 (&70fil) f 2995^
(&7500) t 26112 (mm i^spectively.
For those not already f ainiliar with
assemblers, the EQU directive k used
to assign" a specific value to a iabel^
rather than the current value qf the
program c<mnter A special case of die
KABEL comroands is if you ask It to
search for the label u Sl\ Thiswtll di splay
the position of the bottam of the label
hi detimal fi^rni e>g:
Bottom of label table - 32741
Wei I think tfaat f s about alH want to
say. Not too many bells and ^histleSi
just a good solid assembler that can
cope with most things This is only vLO
so if there^ anything don f t like
about it'or gomethifif you wouH feto
see ifi.a &tnre vbembn then why not
fetrneknow,
Don*!: worry if this assembler
busbess ^ems awfully complicated,
well be getth^ piei}iy of practice with
months. See you
■■■ •:■ :
:
DRIVE TIME
The latest offering from SD Microsystems
comes under the scrutiny of
John Taylor
ability to copy specified and marked
files to and from your drives.
Standard 3" mode must be used in
cp/m mode, although your data can
still be archived onto 3.5" using the file
transfer routines provided.
In short the SD Drive looks great
feels great and is an absolute boon to
anyone requiring cheap and extensive
storage space. At present a widget is
being worked on to make the drive
compatible with the Plus machine and,
eventually, those clever people at SD
Micros intend to put an end to the 3.5"
drive side switch problem with a new
As the new SD Micros 3.5" drive
hits the streets, ACU samples a
real high-capacity delight.
Most people who have looked into
the prospect of fitting themselves out
with a 3 .5' 1 disc drive will, by now, kno w
of the enormous benefits of these
beasts.
The access times for data are quicker,
you can store more than double the
capacity of the standard 3" discs and,
more importantly, the 3,5" discs
themselves are a darn sight cheaper
and easier to get hold of.
Admittedly, there has always been
the initial hurdle of costs to leap over,
before being able to access this new
found power. The unfortunate problem
for 464 owners, is that they will always
need to purchase a DDI drive first,
enabling the machine to address a
second drive properly,
For 6 123 owners, however, this does
not apply* But, even so t many owners
are still cagey about paying out for a
new drive and then having to fork out
another £20 or £30 for a rom or ram-
based system to access the high
capacity performance of the 3.5 rr disc.
Rom box
On top of this* a rom box to sort out
your gear will put you even further in
the red before you get operating. Of
course, extra power does cost you
money, you only
need to look at the
cost of PC
equipment to tell
you that So where
does the new SD
drive fit in with all
Well, for just
£79.95 T notonlydo
you get quite
possibly one of the
quietest, and
neatest 3 + 5 11
drives on the
market today, but
you also get a
high-capacity formatter thrown in
absolutely free.
Whal thi s m ean s, i s that you can now
access up to 800k of disc storage space,
without the need for Ramdos or Romdos
lications and the entailing extra
expense.
Simple to connect to your 6128, all
you need to do is plug in the drive and
install the free 400k per side software
by entering ib at the ready prompt,
followed by run FF bcode' 1 and then select
your option from the extensive menu,
allowing you to copy material to and
from your drives at will
Disc doddle
Formatting and accessing the second
side of your 3,5"
disc is a doddle,
using the aide
switch located on
the back of the
drive to flick
between sides one
and two, and then
using the normal
Disckit routine on
your cp/m disc to
do the rest.
Other features
allow you to copy
whole discs, while
a special wildcard
option gives the
switch of their o wn devising.
Using a special three way switch,
with up and down options for the two
sides of the disc, as well as a neutral
position in the middle for users of
Kamdos and Romdos applications, who
need to access both sides of double
density discs, this new device should
be pretty much of a major coup for SD
Micros.
In the meantime, the SD Drive forms
a pretty major coup in itself and, if you
have been put off indulging in a 3.5 ir
drive in the past for whatever reason,
the specifications of this little beauty
should make you think again.
As soon as any new developments
take place on the drive, we at ACU will
be giving it the full lowdown. For now T
try dropping Steve Denson a line at the
address below for more information
about this slimline tonic to your storage
power.
John Taylor
The SO Micros 3.5" second disc
drive & software
Cost £79.95
SD Microsystems
PO Box 24
1 1 ol beach
lines
PE12 7JF
Amstratf User February 1992
Page 21
I
El
THE DUNGEON
MASTER
DM sings the praises
of his recent visit to a
ngeon in
Birmingham. Read on
and find out why...
Ill start this month with the good
news. Finally IVe got enough free
— space to tell you about a marvellous
weekend I spent in Birmingham at the
end of October, This was at the invita-
tion of the adventure magazine p Ad-
venture Probe and it was to attend their
annual convention. This is when ad-
venturer's from all over the country
ctnd with a variety of different comput-
ers, get together to discuss their fa-
vourite hobby with like-minded friends,
It was an opportunity not to be missed
as it gave me the chance to view some
of the adventure software not available
for the CPC and also to test some of the
latest Amstrad software that is nearing
completion. Further details on those
will appear here as they are released.
Adventure authors, columnists and
players mingled happily and chatted
for several hours and certainly made
the trip worthwhile. This was the sec-
ond convention to be held and due to
the outstanding success of the first
two, I predict that this will become a
firm fixture for year?; to come. Roll on
next year, I can hardly wait
A special highlight of the convention
is the presentation of awards that have
been voted for by the Probe readership,
1 was surprised and delighted by how
many awards were won by people who
are associated with the CPC and who
also appear regularly as contributors to
this column. So please put your hands
together and applaud the following
good Mends of ours, who won awards
despite all the competition from the
other computer formats.
1991 Adventure Probe Convention
results featuring CPC adventure soft-
ware & personalities:
Most helpful PD library:
2nd - Adventure PD (Debby Howa
Most helpful adventurer:
3rd - Joan Pancott
Best text-only 8 bit adventure:
1st -Axe o/Klot by Larry Horsfield
2nd - Spiro Legacy by Ken Bond
Best graphic 8 bit adventure:
lst-
2nd - Eve of Skad&ws by Rob Buckley
3rd - Tfte Hermitage by Tony Collins
Best 8 bit role playing game:
1st -Heroes Quest
2nd - Lords o)
3rd - Bards Tale
Most helpful software house:
1st- FSF Adventures (Larry Horsfield)
3rd - Wow (Joan Pancott)
Honourable membership of adventure
Probe:
Joan Pancott
promising author:
Bob Adams
- Larry Horsfield
Congratulations to all of the above
winners and it's marvellous to see that
the Amstrad is still capable of attract-
ing such talented people,
And now to the bad news. It seems a
shame to talk about something sad
after all the above excitementbut needs
must. Over the past months I have
mentioned the name of Mark
Eltringham several times, both as a
Scroller and as a seller of adventures
via his company Recreation Recreation.
Well Ym sorry to say that Mark has
disappeared and left everybody high
and dry. He no longer lives at his ad-
vertised address and all attempts to
contact him have failed. If you are owed
money then I can only suggest that you
contact the Trading Standards Officer
in Norwich, Hopefully this will not be
necessary but until I hear from Mark, I
must assume the worst.
NEW RELEASES
WoW Software have been adding to
their extensive list again- They are
pleased to announce that they have
now taken over the CPC distribution of
the Adas Adventure adventures, Grue^
napped!, Atalan and Helvera p Mistress
of the Park.
Also newly released this month is
Hounds of Hell by Peter Clark. Hounds
is a two-part textadventure written with
the PAW system and is only available
on disc. The story outline is that you
play the part of a crime reporter, in-
vestigating some disappearances in the
west country. As with all adventures,
what starts out seeming like a simple
task soon turns into something far more
sinister and you'd better have your wits
about you for this one, For prices, ete. P
on all the above, contact WoW Soft-
ware at 78 Radipole Lane, Weymouth,
Dorset DT4 9R5.
Tom Frost is a well known author on
Page 22
Amstrad Kser February 1392
the Spectrum scene and he has now
written his first PAW + ed adventure for
the CPC and FCW, called Vie Lost
Dragon. Topically, this adventure is
loosely based upon the 1990 Probe
convention, when the sharp-eyed Tom
noticed that the hotel they were using
did not have a lift button for the third
floor? This gave Tom the germ of an
idea for an adventure and the result has
now been converted from the original
Spectrum version, using PAW. Basi-
cally a find the missing treasure type of
adventure but with a Tom Frost game
- nothing is that simple. You can order
the game from Tartan Software* 61
Bailie Norrie Crescent, Montrose, An-
gus, Scotland DD10 9DT, Price £3.95
on disc.
Colditz Escape is another new re-
lease this month. Written by Frank
Fridd and sold by his own company
Ffiddsoft, this is a story based around
escaping Irom the German prison at
Colditz at the time of World War II t
you'll no doubt be surprised to learn. It
is a twoparter and is written entirely in
Basic. 1 haven't got veay far into it yet
but you can beat me to the end by
sending £2 tape or £3,50 disc to Wood-
lands, 107 Primrose Way, Chestfield,
WMtstable, Kent CT5 3QR
THE MY LAMP WONT WORK
DEPARTMENT
We have two lost souls this month
seeking our assistance , First up is J onah
Dearlove from Yeovil who is having
trouble getting past the dragon 1 s lair in
Castle Master. Well we covered this
problem in the November issue so
hopefully you have now completed this
game Jonah, If for any reason you
missed it then drop me a line again and
Fll try and reprint it for you. Secondly,
we have Ruth Jenkins of Dover seeking
help with the second half of Classic
Adventure, This would take far too long
to answer here so Til blow the dust off
my old solution and tty to serai ise it for
you soon.
HINTS & TEPS
Peter Clark is a new addition to our
Scroll this month so without further
ado N here are Peter's tips:
Scapeghost:
The objects must be found and picked
up in the correct order to build up your
strength. The order is:
1) Thistledown - found at Joe Danby's
grave.
2) Dry Leaf - found beneath copper
4) Matchbook - found at the corner of
the path,
5) Pebble - found at your own grave.
6) Fishbone - the dog has it wedged in
its throat
7) Twig - found wesi of shed.
8) Gnomon - found by pushing the
sundial with the dog's help.
In the front garden of the cottage in
Part 2, keep on concentrating. Freeze
the d itch to get the map.
Look in the herbs to find something
useful.
The Base:
To open the safe in the Governor's
office:
Turn dial right 6; Turn dial left 5;
Turn dial left 3; open safe, get pass.
The torch is under the bed in the
spare room.
To cross the catwalk, wait when you
hear the footsteps and then keep going
south.
You need the pepper pot to get rid of
the dogs in Part 2. This is found in the
hut but you will need a torch to find it
The saucepan in the kitchen will pro
vide what you need to pass the dogs in
the courtyard.
The Test:
Go for a ride in a box at the stone
quarry,
You need the oil from the tractor. Get
it using the bowl and the spanner.
Create an explosion to open the doors
by the bulldozer.
Clean the bottle found in the wine
cellar for a surprise.
Well 1 hope that IVe covered your
particular problem in the above selec-
tion but if not, you should know by now
what you need to do. Just write in and
tell me the title of the game and where
you are
3) Petal - found at the grave with the
marigolds.
Amstrad User February 1992
Scrolls of Wisdom
The following good people who are
experienced adventure players, have
kindly offered to help any readers who
are having difficulty with a particular
problem. Please do not ask for full so-
lutions and treat the 'Scrollers' with
due respect. Either telephone them
only during the times shown or include
a stamped SAE. if you write to them.
Jim Struthers, 112 Disraeli Street,
Cowpen Quay, Blyth, Northumberland
NE24 1JB, Jim has been adding to his
list again: Adventures cfZebedee Gonig,
Aftershock, Apache Gold, Atalan,
Beeritunier, Behind the Lines, Black
Knight, Big Sleaze, Boredom, Castle
Blackstar, Castle Bmcula, Castle of Skull
Lord, Cave Capers, City for Ransom,
Detective, Draculu, DA. A, Detective,
Escape from Koshima, Emerald Isle,
Flook 1&2, Forest at the Worlds End,
Frankenstein, Grue-Knapped! t Grem-
lins, Cuardia n t Helvera - Mistress oftk e
Park, Hermitage, Heroes of Kam, House
out of Town, Hunchback 3, Imagina-
tion Jewels of Babylon, LostPhirious l f
2&3 3 Magician's Apprentice, Message
fro m A n dro me da, Micro m a n ,
Mindshadow, Mystery Mansion, Mustety
oflndus Valley, Neverending Story, Nova,
Nythyel, Orifice from Outer Space, Panic
beneath the Sea, Prison Blues, Project
Annihilation, Project Volcano, Price of
Magik, Rebel Planet, Red Moon, Rick
Hanson, Seabase Delta, Shymer,
Smashed, Souls of Darkon, Storm
Mountain, Stryptiche, Talisman of
Power, Top Secret, Total Reality Delu-
sion, Twice Shy, Village of Lost Souls,
Warlord, Werewolf Sim, Wolfman,
Winter Wonderland,
Until next month, happy adventur-
ing,
Please send all correspondence,
hints, complaints, money, etc +t to: The
Dungeon Master, c/o Amstrad Com-
puter User, Sunnyside Cottage,
Carluddon t St Austell, Cornwall PL26
STY,
SCROLLS
'WlS'DOM
D
Page 23
DTP steals the scene again, along with a few
gripes for Uncle Bob to deal with.
Y^X esk Top Publish m g programs
I 1 seem to be all the rage right
A-JF now on the CPC PD scene. In
case you don*t know what these
wondef&il programs are capable of,
then 111 try to explain, If you already
know what they are, then please meet
Page 24
us again at the start of the next
paragraph, Okay? Still here? Right, if
you have ever wanted to organise and
print out a page - such as a magazine
page like this - complete with text in
columns, graphics, large headlines,
fancy fonts, saved text, graphics, fonts
etc, and be able to manipulate it all on
screen until you have achieved the
desired layout, then this is the type of
program we are discussing here. Now
lef s rejoin the others.
The fact that these programs are
appearing in the Public Domain at all is
a little short of amazing, for it is only a
short time ago that commercial
programs to do the same thing were
sel 1 i ng for lots of spondoolas. The latest
addition to come my way is called
POWERPAGE VL2 and has been
written by Richard Fadrhurst, who also
happens to own and run ROBOT PD.
No prizes for guessing which public
domain library it is available from,
Richard looked at what already
available on the market and felt that he
could do even better. Has he
succeeded? WeH he feels confident
enough to call it Zfee ultimate DTP
program! so lefs take a look at the
specifications;
Comp uter : CPC 464 (plus disc drive)
or 6128. All features fiilly available
whether you have 128K or 64K Also
recognises two drives when used,
Fonts: You can have an unlimited
number of fonts on each page, as well
as selecting italic, underline and thin
styles in each font A font design utility
is also included. TIP: Rememberthefirst
rule of publishing; the only people mho
use every available Jbnt - are the people
advertising the font program!
Speed: Due to extensive use made
of machine code, headlines are drawn
in seconds rather than minutes (with
optional centring and automatic word-
wrap) and scrolling from top to bottom
of page takes only a few seconds. You
will have to have used some other
program to appreciate just how much
faster this is!
Compatibility: Clip art and fonts
available for AMS's Stop Press can be
easily imported, TIP: Many PD libraries
can supply these quite cheaply.
Text display: You can select micro-
ju stt&cation, centring, right justification
or word-wrap> for either imported text
or in direct typing mode, auto-flow for
flowing text around graphics while also
using any of the above options.
Graphics: Drawing facilities are also
included and offer rubber banding,
rectangles, ellipses fill, invert and
erase.
Printing: Printer routine works on
all CPCs,
So if that has already whetted your
appetite, need I mention that the disc
comes complete with full docu-
mentation, a host of support programs,
example fonts, clip art an example page,
that the program is fully menu driven
and that finally, it is available for only 45
Amstra tt User February 1992
peace? No t I didn*t think I need do, For
atruly remarkable bargain, send a blank
disc, SSAE and 45p to Robot PD today
and ask for selection number AMS87.
I have received a fewcomplaints from
readers who have been less than
satisfied with the lack of response that
they have received from some PD
libraries. I have taken up some of the
complaints with the libraries concerned
and they have in most cases admitted
that they have had some problems
keeping up with the demand,
apologised and promised that it
wouldn't happen again. Case closed, or
so I thought until this letter arrived
from B, A, Egerton:
/ am writing to you regarding tape
based PD. Overth e last 12 months I have
been appalled by the way tape based
users are treated For instance, I have
written to PD libraries enclosing SAEs
and sometimes enclosing money and
tapes, never to hear anything again. As
well as being expensive it doesn't make
the libraries look very good Fm not
saying all libraries are like this hut this
leads me to why I am writing to you.
As far as I know there is only Robot
doing tapes at the moment and after my
last attempt to get software I shall not
bother. I hme had software from them
before but last time I sent them a tape,
money, etc, and after two months had
heard nothing, So I wrote to them three
times enclosing SAEs and have never
had a reply from them. Scull PD were
just the same about 12 months ago. On
the other hand Data PD and Demon PD
replied to my tetters in a couple of days
and apologised that they didn 't do tapes.
Tony Kingsmill said that the chap who
used to do tapes for h im m ight do
me some tapes if I wrote to
him, which I did and
have heard nothing.
I know tapes take
time and are more
expensive to do, but
there're loads of
if users,
especially now
there's the 464
Plus. So 1 have set
up my own PD
library with the
help of my
daughters. It is called Egerton PD and
it's Tape only, We have quite a lot of
programs but could do with loads more,
so if any of your readers could help I will
be glad to hear from them.
Would it be possible to use any of the
ACU listings in the library as I have
collected loads over the yea rs. I will send
you some demos when they are ready. We
all like ACU and the new format's even
better
Thank you for writing and sharing
your experiences with us. I hope that
this letter is treated seriously by all the
libraries and this will be the last time I
receive this type of complaint. I know it
wo n + t but I can wish - can't I? Good luck
and success with your new Tape only
library and I have included your address
at the end of the article.
Regarding the question about using
ACU listings as Public Domain. At the
moment copyright is owned by ACU
and the original author's and therefore
cannot be released as public domain
material Tins is being looked into as
you read this and the situation could
very well change in the near future.
Watch this space for an announcement
as soo n as a decision has been made by
him upstairs.
Unconfirmed reports are coming in
that the Wacci PD club and magazine
has closed down. Further rumours
suggest that a re-launch is to be
attempted by a team of (ex) members
and contributors. The full details will
appear when I receive them,
And finally, Graeme Chesser has
asked me to mention that his new
library - 3D PD library - is now open
for business* It wil! be disc only as it is
operating on a 6128 Plus. Copy charge
is only 50 pence per disc {2
selections). His address is listed
^ below,
^ As usual, 111 finish off with a
list of the libraries who have
contacted me and sent in
examples of their programs
and/or a catalogue.
If you are a public domain libraiy
of you wish to recommend one or even
a particular program, then I'll be
delighted to hear from you, You can
write to me at PD Scene, c/o Amstrad
Computer User, Sunnyside Cottage,
Carluddon, St Austell, Cornwall PL26
say.
3D PD LIBRARY
44 Eehline (irovt\
South Queensfeirv.
Wesl ljolhiati EH309RU.
ADVI-KTURKPI).
10 Overton Road.
Abbrv Wood,
London SL2 9SD,
DARTSMA PD LIBRARY,
c/o Adam Shade,
47 Kidd Place,
Charlton,
Jjundon SL7 <SHf j '.
DATA PD LIBRARY,
202 Park Sheet Line,
Park Street;
Si Albans,
IU Us AI2 2AQ.
RGKRTON PD LIBRARY
7 Linden Close,
Stafford,
Staffs ST17 91U
PLNCllflNSOR'WARE
Kuxlcy House,
M Mount HtTirum Road.
Woking,
Surrey GU22 7UH.
ROllOTPDLlBliAIW
2Tmil Road,
Oakham,
Rutland LKlRfiHR
SOUNDS LIKE PD
6 Keyberry Park,
Dreoy,
Newton Abbot,
South Devon T() 12 1
The above libraries will be happy to
send you a stocklist but please include
a stamped self addressed envelope.
For those of you with a modem* you
can try down-loading some free public
domain programs from the CPC file
areas on:
PRESTON ROS 0772 652212 (24
hours)
ARCADE FANTASY 0533 376056
Amstrad User febfttaty 1392
Page 25
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■ JbTT ■ mW -f ■ Mm m m ■ . ^^_fjHJ W^B^F^F^ ■■■■■I ■ ■ 1 1 ■ J - ■ ■> ■ I I J i J I I I b I I t I J I I .1 B B B B B I B I J J J ■ ■ ■ ■ I I II I I J J B E I I I JBBI
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(PLllfl £3.00 p&T>>
MS800 or MAXIDOS )
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64k DK Ironies RAM PACK
FD1 Din Drive (State model)
15" Dmci (Branded Bilk) 00)
J- Dttot (Amsnft) (10)
U» Dto Boi (*okta 40)
Printer Lead (CPC or Plus)
ABBA Switch
3rd Drive Strife*
£38,95
£59.95
£7j4S
£19.95
£6.95
£7.95
£10.95
£10.95
PUB TRANSFERS
CPC To/Front PC's, PCWs, and Others
2ml - £2455 : MFU - £29.95
(Both pnmai ru la CPU* - NOT CPU 2J>
MAXIDOS ( proccwy )
MS800
bonzo super meddler
bonzo blitz
bonzo becbatch
bonzo flashback
£13.75
£ 9.95
£13.75
£D-7S
£ 935
£935
Please state model when ordering Disc Drlvei
* Please add £J.OO p&p for Disc Drives
All prices Include VAT
26
Amstrad User February 1992
Fill in the coupon below and send it with your remittance to: \
MSM Subscriptions Department, Lazahold Ltd., RO. Box 10,
Roper Street, Pall ion Industrial Estate, Sunderland SR4 6SN. (The
first issue of a new subscription to be delivered will be one or
two issues after the one you placed your order in).
Please start/ renew my 12/24 month subscription to ACLh
renewal. I enclose my cheque my cheque/money order for £
No. . .
receive 3 free issues before my subscription becomes due for
made payable to MCPC Ltd or debit my Access/Visa card.
Expiry date
Name.
Address.
Signed ,
UK £19.80 12 mth
£32.60 24 mth
(Please enter postcode to ensure prompt delivery)
Date _JCU 0292
Europe £34.70 12 mth
£61.40 24 mth
Rest of £48.60 12 mth
World £93.20 24 mth
Overseas rates include
Airmail Service
T
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THE THREE BEARS (5*10)
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Amstrad User February 1992
Grease your trigger fingers as the ACU
crew goes back to basics with the epic
Super Space Invaders, helps out those
awesome dudes, the Teenage Mutant Hero
Turtles and has a go at fisticuffs in the brutal
Pit Fighter
World Cup Rugby makes its appearance at last,
alongside some extra epic compilations and the
best budget coverage on the maricet . Get your
goggles on and get down to the Alley. You really
can't afford to miss it.
Antstrad User February 1992
much more
bunch of blasts
than this little lot, ranging
from sports action to combat
simulation and beyond
In short, whatever your
tastes, von should find
yourself catered for with this
excellent collection*
Starting off, you've got the
superb, if slightly strange,
International 3D Tennis,
Getting used to the weird
wire frame characters is
going to take some time here
Yet another blistering compilation,
and a fairly varied batch it is too*
but, once you have, the
gameplay is superb and the
choice between tournament
and champion ship should be
more than enough to keep
vou hooked for hours.
If race action is more your
style, then Crazy Cars II
should be right up your
street. The aim of the game
is to put the pedal to the metal
in your supercharged F errari
F4G, on the hunt for the
corrupt cops who are running
a stolen car racket,
As you tear through four
slates of America, watch out
for the honest road cops and
plan your route carefully.
Check your route at all times
and, above all, enjoy this ri]>
roaring chase blast that'll
blow your socks off.
Next up is something for
A mstrad User February 1392
footie fans around the world,
in the form of the superb Italy
1990 Winners Edition
offering, allowing you to
change histoiy and pick your
own team s for the World C up
With some excellent
special movements and
com mis thrown in, this blast
is every bit as good as the
original and is guaranteed to
have you sweating by half-
time. Get used to the player
controls anduse them wisely
to secure the Jules Rimet
Trophy at the end of the day,
The final offering on this
superb compilation, is
MicroPro se + s Airborne
Ranger, a combat simulation
with a difference,
Pick your Ranger and get
prepared to take on some of
the most challenging
missions you'll ever have to
face. Choose between rookie
and veteran and, if you
choose to play the
experienced hand, you can
also lake on a series of
missions from the campaign
option.
Once you've chosen your
mission, the next job is lo
select your weapons from the
pod, before getting aloft for
your first parachute drop.
The controls are fairly
simple and the gameplay is
superb so h if you like your
action rough and ready, give
this one a whirl
All in aU t Super Sim Pack is
excellent value for money
and provides perfect, all-
round entertainment for your
spending power. Nice one.
John Taylor
Super Sim Pack
US Gold
85% 78%
Disc £ 1 9.99
Cassette £14.99
88%
rum
ity is the name of this game and, if you don't like it,
you'd better get out of the pit.
When all is said and
done, there are not
many computer
games that don't tend
to w a r d s brutal i ty and
violence at some paint, even
though many try to veil this
trend behind fancy scenarios
and outstanding graphics.
What we have here,
however, is a little offering
that doesn't even bother to
wash its hands for supper,
after knocking somebody's
block off that is.
For sheer, out and out
intention to do damage, you
won't get much better, or
should I say worse, than Pit-
Fighter. Taking your pick
from three very different
special i st streetfighte rs, you r
task is to outpunch, kick,
wrestle and chop your way
through seven different
fights, before you get the
chance to come up against
the shady Ultimate Warrior.
Tli e tli ree %h te rs on offe r
are Ty f a champion
kickboxer, who's feet are
lethal and are well worth
keeping at a distance, Kato,
who's black belt karate skills
should provide you with a
fairly formidable defence
and, finally, Buzz, an ex pro-
wrestler who sees his way
through duels using sheer
brute force.
Get used to the controls
and make sure you have
studied each fighters*
speciality moves to get the
best effects, then get into the
pit to take on the likes of Tile
Executioner, Heavy Metal
and Chain Saw Eddy-
Fights are won on KO
points, so your main aim is
simply to knock hell out of
your opponent and make
sure that you are still standing
at the end of the duel
Eveiy third round, you get
to face agrudge match* which
means facing your partner if
you are playing in two player
mode, or a computer clone of
yourself if you entered the
arena alone.
At all times, look out for
objects strewn around the
floor, such as chests, barrels
and sticks, which you can
throw at your opponent to
weaken him. Power Pills are
also very handy if you
manage to locate them.
At the end of each round,
your points are awarded,
depending on how many
rounds you lasted, the
number of knock-outs you
dealt out and , can you believe
this, how brutal you were.
If you're into this kind of
thing, then no doubt you 11
already be champing at the
bit to go out and buy Pit-
Fighter. OK, so it's only a hit
of fun on the computer but
since the graphics aren't the
best in the world and the
sound effects won*t win
mega-prizes on the 8-bit
machines, you may be better
off looking elsewhere to get
your kicks.
On the 16-bit formats, Pit-
Fightcrlooksa treat, whereas
the jerky scrolling and
delayed actions of the 8-bit
release make this one
something only for ardent
fans of blood sports
Jim Johnson
■UP
Pit-Fighter
Domark
68%
CRAFFDC
67%
PRICE
Disc £17.99
Cassette £ 1 0.99
Page 32
I
I
*****
P -
- ■ - '
r 11 f i'im rf , H f u ff.'i.
p
Chart Attack
Gremlin
94% 92%
Disc £19,99
Cassette £14.99
Amstrad User February 1992
a
Yes, the original arcade blasters have
returned with a vengeance. Join in
and get zapping.
Was it really way
back in 1978 that
the infamous
Space Invader first made
their appearance In the
arcades? Well, I for one am
suddenly beginning to feel
my age. Isn't it about time I
stopped playing around with
computer games and moved
onto something a little more
serious?
NahJ Certainly not and
especially not when it looks
like the games mode has
turned full circle with the
release of this totally brilliant
recall of the early days.
Based very much upon the
original Space Invaders blast,
which swept the nation like a
forest fire p Do mark 's Super
Space Invaders features all of
the riveting aspects of the
original which so gripped us
the first time around.
Do you remember that
thump-thumping as the
aliens moved closer to your
crumbling defences? Do you
remember ducking out just
in time to catch the mother
ship at the top? Remember
those heart-fluttering
moments as you chased the
last little critter across the
screen to finish the level?
I thought you might.
Besides, if you don't, you
must have had your head
stuck in a pillow for the last
decade!
Taking al I of that on board,
you're going to like what y ou
get wheu you open up this
little package- Designed as a
two-player simultaneous
shoot 'em up, your main aim,
naturally h is to destroy the
ad vanci ng aliens before they
reach your home base, or
before they destroy you*
Shooting the mother ship
as it flies across the top of the
screen will afford you with
exceedingly handy power^
ups for use in later levels,
Remember, to start off with,
you can only fire one shot at
a time so that, if you miss t
you have to wait for your
missile to disappear off the
screen before you can fire
again.
Very fmstrating, I know,
but it will soon teach you to
be more accurate.
As you progress, the aliens
wiL begin trying more and
more effective battle tactics-
In fact, there are so many
different attack movements,
that Domark has very kindly
included a formation manual
for you to study carefully*
If you are not too sure of
their movements, it could
mean futile loss of life, so
read the manual very
carefully and try to anticipate
the alien onslaught
Of course, if you really
want to do well, then you're
going to have to brave the
missiles and go for the
mother ships. You really are
going io need those extra
weapons to succeed,
especially on the bonus
rounds at the end of each
three waves.
Here, you get two bonus
combat options, which will
appear at random without
giving you any choice in the
matter, The first is a battle to
the death with an End Of
Level Guardian.
The guardians really are
Amstratf User February 1992
■
■
*
4*
d()ma
fcK
TAlTO
tough mothers, so if you
haven't managed to pick up
at least double, if not treble,
shot power ups along the
way, you probably won't do
too well
Remember, each of the
guardians has a weak spot
Pick it out and blast hell for
leather at it to succeed.
The alternative bonus
round consists of a running
battle to stop your cattle
being herded up by the alien
scum. Race across the
screen, zapping all of the alien
saucers and keeping an eye
on your cattle as the aliens
attempt to kid nap them using
tractor beams.
You 'll know when a kidnap
is about to take place as the
cow in question starts zipping
irom left to right For higher
bonus points, let the saucer
take the cow up some
distance before zapping it
Super Space Invaders is
not just about all out blasting.
If you watch the garneplay
very carefully as you
progress, you will start to
notice certain patterns
occurring. For instance,
there is certainly a pattern
that determines which
weapon is dropped by the
mother ship. Work it out to
make sure you get the best
offensive weaponry.
At certain stages, you will
also be aware of the hidden
levels. Be careful on entering
these cold + as you might not
get too much of a chance to
work out the alien battle
strategy,
On other levels, the aliens
will not only change
formation, but they will start
to expand as well, just to make
matters even more difficult
for you. Some of these levels
will see them expanding into
doubles, or even triples,
making shooting them twice
as tricky.
On these levels, it is best
to stop the expansion before
it starts, by shooting out
alternate columns, This way,
the aliens cannot link up,
allowing you to then pick off
the remaining scum at a
fractionally more leisurely
pace.
What more can I say? This
is one blast that is guaranteed
to sell like hot cakes. Be sure
to read both of the game
manuals carefully before
launching yourself into the
attack, although if you fancy
taking a shot in the dark and
trusting to luck and intuition,
it certainly will not distract
from your enjoyment of the
game*
Enjoyment is what it is all
about. The thrill of the chase,
the atmosphere, the
nailbitmg tension as the
aliens get closer and start
speeding up, It's all there. If
you love Spacelnvaders + then
this has got to be your next
purchase. The graphics are
excellent and the sound
effects are pretty smart as
well.
So, it just goes to show that
the simplest games give the
most satisfaction. Since the
original blast hit the streets,
we have had a decade of
Space Invader clones and
copies of other original
blasts, so it is quite refreshing
to see a games house un-
ashamedly admitting that if
you can't beat them, join
then]. Wei! done Do mark,
this one will be big.
Jim Johnson
ROUI
m
^ Super Space fnva
ders
(1 c
)omark
npfp Disc £ 1 7.99
' m Cassette £10.99
89%
87%
94%
9
NX
M
UTT
no
Page 35
" I Mill II ill III IIH * i Mil lilt
sylvan i an castle, on the
hunt for your lost Viking
comrades.
You may have been
washed ashore in your
Longboat, but this otic is
certainly no washout,
featuring plenty of arcade
adventure and bundles of fun
along the way. Again, this
one is great fun and
gu aranteed to h ook you from
the very start.
The other new release is a
tremendous offering called
Slightly Magic* Here, you
must take on the role of the
novice magician, solving
puzzles a plenty and leaping
from platform to platform, to
try and put an end to the
chaos in Bigwiz the wizard's
The Codies have done it again. Yet
more brain teasing action than you can
handle in one big bundle*
Here's something that one of the new blasts,
looks set to take the Seymour at the Movies,
charts bv storm, Featuring a 0f£ftvlike
I — I looks set to take the
X A charts by storm,
unless Tm very much
mistaken. Five excellent
Code Masters blasts, three
of them never seen before on
the CPC format, coming
together to make a superb
all-round package of
entertainment.
Starting the ball rolling is
Seymour at the Movies.
Featuring a Dizzytike
formula! the aim of this game
is to help podgy Seymour
make his way through the
Hollywood studios and into
his first starring role as a
mega-star.
As you can imagine, there
is a whole host of puzzles and
conundrums to solve, not to
LET HO VIE STfiRS
IN HERE \
§ut X'H seynouR ■
mention the vast arrav of
objects that need to be picked
up and used at crucial
moments. This is a real gem
of a game and should do
blindingly well as a release in
its own right.
Next we have the
inimitable Little Puj? y who is
off to Dragonland to further
his adventures. If you know
Utile Puff, then youll like
this one, as he desperately
tries to find his way home
through the hostile
environmem Brilliant
cartoon fun and totally
addictive.
The next new release is
Spike in Transylvania, which
seesyou, as the hero, battling
through the spooky
The only problem is that
you are only a novice and* as
the title says, only slighl ly
magic, so don't be alarmed
when things don't go quite
as you want them to.
Excellent fun and a
guaranteed success as an
individual release.
I^st up on this superbly
era lied Codies' compilation,
is the original Dizzy itself If
this one has not been played
by every CPC game lover by
now, then there must be
something seriously wrong,
A landmark in gaming
when it originally hit the
streets, this brilliant blast is
every bit as fresh as it was
back then and is guaranteed
to raise laughter, as well as
tears of frustration.
Each of the games feature
the usual Code Masters
colours and style t making for
brilliant gamepiay and great
fun to boot. Try it and you'll
see what I mean.
Jim Johnson
PageSS
Amstrad User February 1992
Educational gaming for the very young gets a boost from Triple R.
Featuring four very
different programs for
the two to five year old
age group, Triple R's Picture
Book offeririg is the first in a
new series of educational
games that looks set to
become firm favourites with
both children and adults
fit over the computer keys to
show only lowercase letters*
Switching on the game,
you are then offered a choice
of sticking to the original
Qwerty set-up, or altering the
key configuration to
alphabetical. Asimple device
it may be P but it really does
pictur
alike.
Before we go into the
programs featured on the
disc/tape, the first novelty
suppl i ed with the game is the
special keyboard overlay
option,
As children learn lower
case letters before upper
case, the overlays (there are
two of them) are designed to
do the trick to make keyboard
operation for youngsters a
doddle,
Moving onto the programs
themselves, there are four to
choose front, offering
excellent tuition in the
rudiments of spelling and
counting.
First of all* the child is
asked to pick a letter from
in c n u 3
1 = pictures j££
2 - snap 3
3 = count 'em $
4 = spell it M
5 = stop!
the alphabet, corresponding
to a picture which appears on
the screen w Alphabet Book
For example, C is for Cat.
There is also a neat picture-
size changing option to add
to the fun*
Spell It does exactly what
itsays.kids spell the object in
the picture. Get it wrong and
the computer gives clues to
lead the child to the correct
answer, a happy tune, and
the smiling clown. Excellent
stuff.
Moving on* the next
program. Count 'em, allows
the child to count the number
of objects on screen and then
enter the amount through the
keyboard* Again, rewarding
tunes greet the correct
answer.
Last, but by no means least,
the Snap program gives the
child the chance to spot
identical pictures, pictures
and words or pictures and
corresponding letters.
With the option for up to
th ree children playing at any
one time. Picture Book is a
superb opportunity for kids
to learn together and have
fun. Featuring various
difficulty levels, children will
soon get the hang of the
alphabet, as well as numbers
up to nine, making an idea)
start to the learning process
before graduating to other
offerings in the Triple R
series.
The graphics are bright
and clear, the controls are
simplicity itself and the sound
effects are cleverly designed
to create a happy atmosphere
to all of the activities.
Picture Book
Triple R
PRICE
Disc £ 1 5.95
Cassette £12.95
Amstrad User February 1992
Page $7
OPERATION
THUNDERBOLT
If you are a serious shootie
freak, then you'll no doubt
have experienced the thrill
of Operation Thunderbolt
already. If you haven't, then
youVe missed a real treat.
Aimed at those people who
just can't get enough trigger
action, this little blast takes
you through some of the
most awesome combat
missions on the market and
guarantees jam-packed
action all the way.
Armed primarily with your
sub-machine gun and
grenades, your task is
basically Lo blast everything
that gets b your way, from
foot patrols, through
armoured infantry trucks and
tanks, to airborne gunships.
If your bullets don't get them ,
then your grenades will
Be warned* however, as
you only have limited
firepower, D on't go too G ung
Ho to start with, otherwise
you'll be left high and dry in
the midst of raging gunfire.
Use your ammo sparingly
and take out the artillery
before the soldiers, as they
can inflict more damage.
As you progress, don't
forget to shoot the crates as
they parachute to the ground
and pick up any power ups
that you find, Believe me,
you'll need them all if you
want to survive.
All in all, Operation
Tli li nderbolt boasts excellent
graphics, realistic sound
effects and more trigger
action than you can handle.
As a one- or two-player blast,
AM5TRAD CPC 464 664 61 23
youll find it hard to better
this offering in the combat
stakes,
DRAGON SPIRIT
Staying in the blasting mode,
Dragon Spirit offers just as
much opportunity to grease
your trigger finger, but it
features a slightly more
imaginative storyline.
In short, the beautiful
Princess Alicia has been
kid napped by the evil serpent
demon Zawell. Who's going
to rescue her? You, of course,
in the form of a mighty fire
breathing, bomb dropping
dragon.
Sounds fun, doesn't it?
Well, you're right From the
very start, getting used to the
controls is fairly easy, while
blasting your adversaries out
of the sky is pure joy .
On each of the eight
different levels, there are
plenty of baddies to take out
and, to start with, progress is
fairly easy. However, if you
wantto get past the guardians
at the end of each level, you'll
need to collect as many power
ups as you can.
To do this, you must shoot
the glowing creatures and
collect the eggs that they
drop. Depending on the egg,
you can expect such goodies
as increased firepower, or
even an extra fire breathing
head if youVe lucky.
To bring in a little strategy p
each of the guardians has a
weakness that you should
determine before attack,
although, lo be fair, if you've
collected enough power ups,
sheer firepower should see
you comfortably through the
first few levels.
Vi ewe d from above ,
Dragon Spirit features some
fairly smart graphics and you
won't find it too difficult to
get hooked on.
If you like your shooties
with that little extra, youll
find Dragon Spirit well worth
the purchase. Plenty of action
and some neat backdrops to
create an excellent all-round
offering.
CHASE HQ
Woah! The heat is on! This is
one offering that kept the
ACU crew away from their
desks for a long, long time
when it came out on the full-
price label.
Fortunately, none of the
non-stop action and high-
speed chase excitement has
been lost during the porting
over to the budget label so
that, what you have here, is a
totally brilliant offering that
is guaranteed to have you
drooling over your keyboard
from the very start.
As members of the elite
SCI (Special Criminal
Investigation) squad, your
task is to chase and
apprehend high speeding
perps in your supercharged
Porsche 928>
As soon as Nancy at HQ
delivers the message, get
your wheels screeching and
head off on the hunt In all,
you have 60 seconds to catch
each of the perpetrators and
then another 60 to ram them
off the road.
That's right, the only way
to stop the perps is to
demolish their vehicle, so get
to it Every time you ram the
vehicle, the damage points
mount up and, if you manage
Page 38
Amstrad User February 1992
to hit them enough times
within the limit, youVe done
the job.
I^ook out for other traffic
on the roads, as they'll only
slow you down and make
good use of your limited
turbo blasts to narrow the
distance between yourself
and the criminals.
Chase HQ has got to be
one of the best driving games
of all time. As a one or two
player offering, the gameplay
is totally out of this world,
not to mention completely
gripping.
Rem ember, practice
makes perfect* You're
certainly not going to wipe
up on your first attempt but,
oh yes 5 you're going to keep
coming back for more until
you do,
Excellent graphics, neat
crash sound effects and an
absolute Joy to play. Get it!
HJBMHA!, ' ,. I - ' L J-l. ' - l ■.^4' 1 CreFil
XYBOTS
It seems like we're back in
blasting mode again here. Oh
well, never mind, Shooties
always seem to do well
around Christmas time and,
if the full-price performance
of this beauty is anything to
go by P this one should shoot
up the charts very quickly,
As Major Rock Hardy and
Captain Ace Gunn, this two-
player blast takes you down
into the subterranean
fortress of the master Xybot
and his cronies, who are
threatening to take over the
world and do nasty things to
us humans.
As you enter the mazelike
corridor complex of the
fortress, cock your laser gun
and be prepared to do some
serious damage, before the
xybots do the same to you,
Making good use of the
transporters, your task is to
find the exit elevator to take
you to the next level.
However, you'll need to
despatch with a few baddies
first and also pick up a few
energy pods P keys and coins
to improve your playing
power.
Complete a level and you
can spend your booty in the
special armoury ship, buying
extra Zap power to stun your
opponents, extra laser
cannons, or even a very
handy enemy mapper,
enabling you to trace the
xybots* movements at all
times.
At the end of certain levels,
you will have to take on the
Master Xybot in a one-to-one
duel. Victory will mean
advancement to the next
stage. Lose, and you'll be
bumped back down a few
levels, This can be very
frustrating, but it will
certainly fuel your resolve to
get him the next time around.
Again, Xybots is very
cleverly thought out and
offers superb blasting power
against some smart back-
drops and very different
opponents*
This one is quite a toughie^
but getting through to the
final levels is certainly
rewarding and,, if you like to
put a little effort into your
blasting, Xybots could well
be the offering for you.
SEYMOUR GOES TO
HOLl^WOOD
Well, you certainly couldn't
get further away from
shooties with this little bash
from the Codies' stable. Who,
or rather what, is Seymour
then?
I suppose you could call
him something of a slug. Hie
certainly looks like one.
However, this is no ordinary
slug. No, this one Is hellbent
on beluga superstar and that,
of course, is why he's tu rned
up in Hollywood, on the trail
of his first starring role in
Tinsel Town.
Tliis is no shoo tie and, if
you want to make it through
the staggering 96 belting
screens of Seymour, youVe
going to need every ounce of
your grey cells to succeed.
LMzzylikem its appearance
it may be, but Seymour is an
instantly likeable character
and the gameplay itself is
sizzling from the very
beginning.
Your first task, naturally,
is to get yourself into the
studios . Tricky when nobody
recognises you for the star
that you are. Gel yourself a
pair of darkglasses, however,
and you could pass off for
any of the major stars arou nd ,
like Harrison Ford f or even
Twiggy!
As you've probably
guessed by now F Seymour is
jampacked with all of the
puzzles and tricks of the
Diz^y games, featuring a
whole host of objects to
collect and then work out how
best to make use of them. In
true Codies' tradition, this
budget blast is bulging with
colour, great graphics,
superb soundtrack and P of
course, frightentngJy good
gameplay.
Use your noodle to work
out the trickier conundrums
and, basically, make sure that
Seymour gets where he
should rightfully be + in top
billing position.
If you like Code Masters
games, or Dizzy \ or anything
that makes you think, then
Seymour is an absol ute must.
Great fun to play and
ent to look at T this is a
top priority for your next
purchase-
Also included in the
f o r th co mi ng C a r to o n
Collection to boot, it looks
like Seymour has a big future
lined up for him.
Jim Johnson
Operation Thunderbolt
Dragon Spirit
Chase HQ
Xybots
Seymour
Hit Squad
Hit Squad
Hit Squad
Mil: Squad
Code Masters
£3.99
£3.99
£3.99
£3 + 99
£2*99
78%
82%
94%
76%
Amstrad User February 1992
Page 39
A SMALL SELECTION FROM OUR WAREHOUSE
• TV Modulator -
converts your CPC
monitor into a TV set -
watch TV in your own
room!
Monitor not included.
AMSTRAD PP8
SOFTWARE PACK
4 disks with 17 games
FREE CABLE WITH
EVERY FD-1 DRIVE IF
REQUIRED, PLEASE
STATE MACHINE
• The clock radio - modern
and stylishly designed it fits
neatly into the system. It will
wake you up to your favourite
radio station.
Amstrad PP& Pack & Clock radio are
separate items,
TVV. TUNER
XOCK RADIO
SECOND DRIVE
PP8 PACK SOFTWARE
MP-3
CT-1
FD-1
£34.99 + 3.53
£8*68 + 3.53
£49.95 + 4.70
£7.95 + 2.35
FD-1 SECOND 3" DISC DRIVE FOR
CPC464/664/6128/464+/61 28+
1FI
CF2 T disks [bin of 10) plastic wallet + free disk
bo* ...,.„..„-- £13-95 +£2.36 P&P
CF2 3" disks (box of 10} in<!iri<jiiaLLy plastic cased!
P ..£lA.95 + £2.35 P&P
■ n rrrim rr-
All Plastic Wallet Amsofl disks came with free disk box whik stocks last.
ROMANTIC ROBOT PRESENT THE Ml«LTIFACE 2 T A CPC WITHOUT A
MLLT1FACE IS LIKE LIFE WITHOUT DIRECTION OR A CLOCK WITHOUT
HANDS. SO DON'T PULL \ T OVR HAJR OUT. MIY A MULTIFACI 2
CPC 464/tj64/6128 Version £34,4? + £3.53 P&P
CPC 4fi4+.raS+ Vereitm - - ^1-42 +£3.53 P&P
ft4K Ram expansion, CPC 464 only -
DUl.Mfti First 3' disk drive , ...»
6128 CF/M Pltis system diik »
6128 Dr Logo and Help disk
3 5CT D£/DD WataflWerbatim bulk + \*W* Pkt 10 „.
CPC Centrotiics printer lead 1.5m ....... —
CPC Centronics printer lead 2.0m - --
CPC to Video Leadh state BKC or Phono pEug .
^paDsiun Port Adan-tor for CPC 464/6135 plus machines (Widg
Advanced Art Studio. CPC disk (requires 128Jc memory)
4O02S. 464 upgrade- Rom , - «...
TbeArttstTad M Psrk. 12 gamu on cassette for the CPC464+ ..
..£159.95
... £17.12
_ £13.22
£455
..,..^7.64
....£8w40
....£7-14
ifl .£9,40
.... £16.41
...... £3 J»
+ £3.53 PSP
4 £4.70 F*it>
+ P&P
+ £1,13 P£P
+ £1.18 PfiP
+ &M P£P
+ £0.59 PfiP
+ £U,5S p£P
-il.lfi PfiP
4<£].]BF&P
+ XL1& P&P
+ £3.53 IW
THE AMSTRAD PPS
BUSINESS PACK
For uwwri Ihe CPC 6128 or CPC 464 *irh
ilisk dnw. 64K ram, AM40025, CPM*
a inch blank di^ka
Busing FVotfram
6 game*
DISCOUNT
TQTAL PRLCt
112S
H9.19
(£4,70 P&P1
WAVE PRESENTS
THEIR OWN 3.5" DISK DRIVE
With SWrK software
Slim Lint Cluc
Side Switch.
EictETnal P.SJJ.
OualLty Mechanism
ONLY £79.95 + ££.SB P&P
AvaiLahk for CPC 4G4JW6 123/4*4.+/
61^y+, State nieehine when onlerinjl.
PLEASE NOTE 494/464* MUST HAVE
1 ST T DRIVE
RIRBONS
PKT
LClD 2
LC 10 COLOUR 1
LC24 1WLC2420G , 2
FCW&512 2
MS 2
CITlZtN L-
PRICE
£4 70
£4.23
Art*
i5.IL)
£5.52
.L4.7:»:
X5.5U
CARR6IN5
JCEIJift
fLIJJ
£>1B
£Q.55
£1.1B
£0.53
MODIFY VOL ft CPC6128+ TO I.0AD CASSETTE SOFTWARE
AMAZINU TECHNICAL BR EAKTHHOUGH
All you haw to do is send your CPCei2S+ cnrnpubei to m and we will modify It to
allow loading from external cassette recorders with jack lead-
ONLY £2 0,-00 + P£P
MODIFY YOUR DDl-1 INTERFACE TO WORK ON THE CPC464+
Ail vnu have lo do is send your L>DM interface (o us and vuitl modify it to work wtLh
the CPC4W+ wlliioul crashing.
OM.V.tlS.00+^,53P^P
PLEASE NOTE AS WELL AS MODIFYING THE DDl-1 INTERFACE YOU WILL
ALSO REQUIRE THE WAVE WIDGET - £!L4[) + CI. IS P*P
T,V, NOHUL4TOR, FOR CPC464
CHfLV £&M$ * £4-70 PfiF
Optkjnal PSU" to utt with above to
enable use on the CPC*Wi4/G12a
ONLY .£10.00 -£*.35P^P
PLAY YOUR CPC IN 5TYLE
Tf« AnalradClJ clocltfriidio. Only£S.6S + i3j3a P&P
Or &imp]j?watdi telly!
The Amslful M F.3 TV Tuner . . .OhJ^£34.M + JC3.53 P£F
BoiJi of (fee above items fit neatly uiwler yfrur monitoi
PLEASE NOTE THE MP J REQUIRES THE CLM644
MONITOR
i
WAIT, PHESIiNTS ENVIRONMENTAIXY FRIENDLY PRICE: LISTS!
Our currtnt price list runs to ewer 30 pagesf And becuas* <tf the amount of requests Fur
our price lists we ztz destroying tTees at a mammoth rate, so a technical bod has
transferred our price list to a 3' disk and will cost you unly J2.30L You can use thi disk
whfin fl n ishtd us a blan k.
AMSOFT] OPERATING AMSTRAD
CP/M 2.2 BOOK&OtTOeOie
ONLY £SM IK P&P
T
THE WAVE WIDGET
Allows old CPC peripherals to be plugged into the
new CPC+ machine! * Our very own solid sLaLe
design!
£M0+£1.1SF&P
AMSTRAD CPC612H's
MONO DISPLAY
SPANISH KEYBOARDS
ONLY f I
+ Xl[r.5B P£P
The onty difference is
about 7-& symbols are in
Spanish. This will not
make any difference to
the running of the
machine!
Phone for details if
needed
EX-SOFTWARE HOUSE T DISKS
PKTOFIUl K.fLP,£29-9fl
SPECIAL OFFER £9.95 + £U 8 PfiP
PD-l DISK DRI\^ 2ND T DRIVE
For Cr^4f34^12oVCPC464^rlCPtOl28+
ONLY £A9£5 +X4.70 PfiP
SPECIAL OFFER
FREE DL-2 CABLE WORTH £10
I P K E QL1ERED AKD EF ORDER IS
RECEIVED BEFORE 1/W21 PI.EA£E
STATE MACHINE OWMED
'
OFFERS WHILE STOiWS lASTJM iWflm/J?^ post A jt^- f^y i5-fflL W .fl. ^. fQ r"CJ
f£jl£LIS, (F)$9p fAMjj J duy£l&5& ffatf (tey£I4.m. COD * maximum
paxlage charge £&Q5p& 2fik$:15iW. ALi Pff/C£S INCLUDE VAT.
Alfstites subject ft? cwr fr^^ fimpJis of trading.
W-A.V-E. (TRADE DEPT. ACU 9202)
WALNEV AUDIO VISUAL & ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION,
1 BUCCLEUCH STREET,
BARROW-IN-FURNESS, CUMBRIA LA14 15R,
TELEPHONE: 0229 870000 (6 LINES) Hews: Mon-Fri lCWMtem-Spm
Amstrad User February 1992
IIEPI
PUTTING A LABEL ON IT
Do you have mislaid disc problems? Not any more, as Alan Scully
explains,
FONTS
FONT
8
RBCdef9l83
row
1
ftBldefgll*
FONT
3
FBEdefgl33
FONT
3
ABCdefgi23
FONT
4
S
rotw
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FONT
7
HBCdeFg123
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9
RBC<feFg123
T abelmaker is a utility from
I Goldmark Systems designed to
enable rapid design and repro-
duction of 3 and 3.5 rr disc labels. Just
think, no more unreadable writing on
discs . ■ ■ this program could change
your life!?
Labelmaker supports a vast array of
printers and even has specialist drivers
fortheDMPs and Qtoh M8510, as well
as the standard Epson driver for print-
ers such as the Star LC-10.
While designing your own labels you
can save and re-bad at any time. This
allows you to build up a library of fa-
vourite labels, if you wish. All labels are
saved as standard 17K mode 2 screens,
lli is means that they can be loaded
into art packages to add more advanced
graphics to them, The Advanced Art
Studio is ideal for this.
Commands in the editor are split
fflWOHCED
MUSIC SYSTEM <j f
KfllMHllD'S RbVAHtED HUSIC SYSTEM
S31IJ
3ism
j J C_f j J W $
into two groups, those for 3" and those
for S.5 !l . f n most cases, the commands
are the same for both labels with only a
few changing.
3 1 Labels
Each label side consists of 10 lines
each of 38 characters. Each line is indi-
cated by a bar- marker to the left of the
label window, lines are selected using
the up/down cursor keys, which will
move the bar-marker to the required
tine. Pressing (ENTER) allows you to
enter text into the selected line.
An optional title occupying the top
two lines is available. This allows up to
19 double-height, double-width char-
acters to be entered. There is also a
centre line (for the spine of the disc)
which allows up to 18 characters to be
entered.
Text can be placed on each l ine in up
to four different ways.
(A) Using RETURN on its own justi-
fies text to the left of the line and leaves
any text /graphic on the rest of the line
intact
(B) Using CTRL plus RETURN will
centralise the text on the line and leave
any text/graphic either side intact.
(C) Using SHIFTplus RETURN will
centralise the text on the line and will
delete any text/graphic either side.
(D) Using CTRL plus SHIFT plus
ENTER will Justify text to the left of the
tine and will delete any text/graphic to
the end of the line.
Ten extra fonts are supplied, these
are selected by typing F and the re-
quired number or F and RETURN to
select the normal CPC font.
Other commands include: Invert la-
bel, to edit the other side; Outline
Toggle, which draws/erases the label
outline; Save and Load,
Obviously the most important part
of the program is the printing- This is
fairly fast, however as the print head
makes only one pass, the quality suffers.
Although speed is important, a quality
option would have been nice. The only
way to get a reasonable print is to use
an over-inked ribbon but this usually
smudges the print.
3-5 1 Labels
Almost all the commands for produc-
ing 3. 5 1 1 labels are the same as those for
3 rr labels, with two exceptions.
(A) The Invert command now prints
the write protect message and has been
renamed to Initialist Label
(B) The command for editing the
Centre line has been removed.
Hie only other difference is that the
number of text lines have been in-
creased from 10 to 18.
Verdict
For what it does, Labelmaker does it
well. The missing high-quality print
lets the program down badly. How-
ever, if you're looking for a disc label
program, then Labelmaker is probably
the only commercial one available and
as such, is the one to get!
GOLDMARK SYSTEMS
5 1 Comet Road
I lalfk'ld
Hertford shin?
ALIO OS Y
Labelmaker is priced at £12 with a
10% discount for CPC Domain sub-
scribers.
Amstratt User February 1392
Page 41
Modulation Blues
Doc Watson sorts out a juicy MP-2 problem
before tackling the rest of this month's posers.
Here we are again - another
month, another applications
column, it appears that quite a
few of you have made a new year's
resolution to write in to ACC, as -we've
got a b u mper crop of letters th is month.
So enough of these stalling tactics and
on with the show...
Telly Addict
A square-eyed Hugh Hemmer hailing
from Stone on Trent writes:
"My question concerns the modulator/
power sup ply model MP-2. Ifeei sure tha t
lots of people > like me, bought their
CPC6128 with mom monitor, because
for serious work Mode 2 k essential
and no matter what colour combination
was used, the colour monitor's definition
was fust not good enough. However, for
games, colour is very desirable so one
bought the MP-2 to plug into the house
TV.
But even after very careful tuning of a
good TV r th e result rea lly isn J f satisfactory
and the MP-2's stability is downright
poor I know there has been a further
update of the unit but (a) once bitten,
twice shy and (b) you cannot get them
anyway.
So, here is the question: can someone
guide us through a relatively simple
modification which would improve the
performance of MP-2, especially its
instability?"
Unfortunately Hugh, the MP-2 is
never going to give the soil, of clarity
thai a colour monitor can pro vide -
colours may appear a little washed out
and images could be slightly fuzzy
around the edges,
Having said this, the MP-2's output
is generally acceptable and the units
I've seen working have not suffered
from instability so yours may therefore
have some sort of electrical fault A
good TV engineer should be able to
perform the necessary tests.
Page 42
As for 'modifying* MP-2s, my advice
would be to leave well alone, I daresay
that* as usual, numerous improvements
could be made to Amstead's design t
but you'd end up having to manufacture
a n ew PC B and build on it from scratch .
If your TV is of good quality and is
reasonably modern then a far better
solution exists - a SCART lead. A TVs
SCART socket provides direct access
to its red/green/blue electron guns,
bypassing its decoding circuitry, thus
eliminating the need for a modulator.
You will, in effect, be using your TV as
a colour monitor!
. CPC-SCART leads can (or at least,
could) be purchased from numerous
mail order suppliers, but if you have
trouble obtaining one why not make
vour own. All you need is a 6-pin DIN
plug, a £l-pin SCART (or Petite!) plug,
and some cable. The Maplin Electron ics
codes for these items are HH29G,
FJ41U and XS42V respectively. Si:
connect the following pins:
DIN Plug
lto
SCART Plug
15
11
7
5,9,13,17,18
20
You may also like to connect some
330ohm resistors in series with the
red, green and blue video signals to
further improve the picture.
If all works correctly then why not
incorporate the CPC's audio output as
well? Insert a 3.5mm stereo jack plug
into your computer and make the
following connections:
Jack Plug
Stereo I^eft
Stereo Right
Audio Ground
SCART
6
2
Hearing your CPC in glorious stereo
really does make the world of
difference!
Of course, you will still need your
MP s (or green monitor) to provide the
correct power supply. Because the
above cable will only cost about £3 to
make I should forget about repairing
the modulator altogether! Good Luck.
Post Graduate
The ever-helpful John Hudson lias
written in again with some more useful
CP/M advice:
^Regarding Les Taylor's query about
mixing the Graduate CP/M ROM t a
silicon disk and a 3.5 ' drive (November
1991), there is no theoretical problem -
when CP/M is loaded, whether from
RQMorfrom disk, thedrive specifications
are placed in hanked RAM and CP/M+
always looks fo r th em th ere f n of in ROM.
All the programs like RAMDQS+ which
allow the use of 3.5" or 5,25" disks alter
the specifications held in banked RAM.
However, ha ving used the com bina tion
vety happily for a couple of years, I have
had occasional corruption of files during
transfers between drives C: andB: when
using ordinary programs like a word-
processor, database, etc. presumably
because the read/ write speeds of the two
drives are so different
My solution is to work with either C: or
B: as much as possible and use PIP wi
Signal Type
Red Video
Green Video
Blue Video
SYNC
GND/Earlh
LUM
the [v] (for 'verify') switch to do all
important copying between C: and B: -
exiting programs to make copies takes
slightly longer but I load PIP into drive
C: when I switch on the machine so it
runs faster anyway, *
Well Mr Hudson, what can 1 say?
Once more Ym indebted to you and I
know that Les Taylor will also greatly
appreciate your letter. Thanks again.
Plus or Minus?
Surely > being the proud owner of a new
6128+ should be a happy experience?
Improved design, a cartridge port,
better connectors, more colourful
games - a definite plus. John Clark
from Northants describes the more
negative side:
"As one of the many purchasers of the
new-improved CPC, the 6128+, Fm
becoming increasingly wo tried abou t th e
small selection of games, accessories
and other weird and wonderful
Amstrad User February 1992
contraptions thought of/or ihenow-fading
VldCPC\ that haven't yet been converted
for use on the plus range. For instance,
OCR's Advanced Art Studio, Come on
guys, we have bought the new car - it's
fust a shame that not enough people sell
the petrol it runs on! How much longer
do I have to wait for the above?"
1 can quite understand your feelings
John, and I bet you're not the only
disgruntled 'plus' owner out there. It's
a real shame that these machines,
which essentially represent the
pinnacle of 8- bit home computer
technology, do not enjoy wider support.
The problem of course t is that they
were introduced rather late in the day,
at a time when the commercial
bandwagon had rolled on to pastures
new (and with an extra eight bits) . One
can only dream of what might have
happened if Amstrad had produced
these machines back in 1984. Most
C PC-related businesses seem more
interested in shifting stocks of existing
products rather than developing new
ones (Peter Brunning is one obvious
exception to this, bless his little cotton
socks).
Of course, the vast majority of CPC
softw T are will work on the plus mac hines
with little or no modification.
Unfortunately, it's very often the
remaining few programs that people
are interested in e.g. OCP Advanced
Studio, and Fm afraid the news here
isn't good. The various people I spoke
to had no firm release date, and one or
two weren't even sure if a plus
conversion was being worked onl Ah
well, that's the way it goes,
Quite honestly, Fm surprised more
cartridges haven't been released, if only
intended for the GX4000 console, UK
games producers have plenty of
experience in writing CPC code, so
why didn't they bother to convert some
of their vast catalogue of titles h let alone
develop some new ones? The answer
has to be poor sales. The GX4000 lacks
the sort of 'street cred' that Nintendo
and Sega have built up t and is therefore
unable to break their stranglehold. As
is often the way in the computer world,
it's not always the technically superior
machines that win - if they did, the
IBM PC probably wouldn't be around!
The situation is summed up by the
fact that the only specific *plus h
peripheral to be released is an edge-
connector gadget allowing it to use
C PC add-ons , Its rather i ron ic that plu s
owners should have to pay more just
for the privilege of using inferior
connectors.
Serial Killer
On a lighter note, here's a long letter
from your friend and mine, Keith
Sterrow of Southall in Middlesex:
"Dear 'Doctor Watson', I hope you will
excuse the in verted commas I ha ve placed
around your name, but I note in Amstrad
Computer User a certain coyness when it
comes to crediting its writers by their full
names (Hairy Hacker, DM, Ziggy t Doc
Watson -AKA Doc Wilson in the October
'91 issue - to NOT name but a few!) T
much lesspublishingphotograplis of them
occasionally. I begin to suspect, if a touch
fancifully t that the entire magazine is
actually written single-handedly by one
gifted and extremely industrious
computer journalist!
In any event y I should like to thank you
for your recent mention on my enquiry
about Supercalc2, and to thank Mr John
Hudson who I have written to directly.
Encouraged by having had my query
taken up in your column, I should much
app reciate yo u r further h elp with another
problem. In a nutshell: by what reasonably
cheap and straightforward method can I
use the most powerful word processing
package I possess, Brunword Elite, with
a serial printer (a Ricoh fAp tec Flo writer
RPISQQdaisywheeD?
Brunword Wlite is designed for use
with a dot matrix printer only - so, one
might ask t why TRY to use it with a daisy
wheel printer? Apart from the much
higher speed of response, the main
advantage would be the use user-definable
single-character embedded printer
command codes - in extreme contrast to
the word processor in Mini Office //,
which 1 currently use with the RF1600,
that requires every printer command to
be inserted in fuli I fully understand thai
much of Bmnword s flexibility could not
be exploited on a diasy wheel printer,
nonetheless, for certain professional
applications this is the printer I need to
USCm
My setup is a KDS 8-bit printer port
(substituting Brunning's special
connector when using B, Elite)
connecting the 6128s printer port to my
9-p in prin ter. The Flo writer is connected
to the expansion port of the 6128, via an
Amstrad RS232 (by PACE) interface,
litis is quite a convenient arrangement
as both printers can be left connected to
the computer. To enable use of the
Fiowriterlopen the RS232 link with the
RSX\COPEN' followed by VPRINT,2>
to divert the 6128*$ printer port output to
the expansion port, Tliis permits use
with MiniOffice II but unfortunately it
does network with Brunword Elite, which
both resets the computer on being RUN
a n d, fkrtk er, has no facility for giving the
special Ba r com mands from w ith in it to
use the RS232 channel Of course, Fve
n o do u bt I could use B. Elite indirectly by
creating an ASCII file with it and using
separate software to print it; but this
would take time and would hardly be
worth the trouble as, I expect, R Elite's
user defined codes could then not be
used.*
Phew! I think I Ve got all that! As for
ACU being written by just one
journalist, Chris Knight said: (alters
voice & changes hat) "Definitely not!**
while Hairy Hacker commented:
(liberally applies designer stubble)
"Most Unlikely!", so there I . . er . , er
have it. The sight of half a dozen ACU
journalists all cramming into one tiny
photo kiosk (well, were not made of
money Keith) would not be a pretty
one, so you can imagine what the
resulting photo would look like!
Now onto the more serious part of
your letter. Getting Brunword Elite to
direct its output to your RS232 interface
is indeed a challenge, IVe a sneaking
suspicion that because of its own 8-bit
port, B. Elite's printing routines are not
going to relinquish control willingly.
Were you going to use Protext (my
personal favourite) or Tasword then
you could simply execute the necessary
RSXs from within these programs, or
insert them into their startup files. If
this were not possible then it would he
a simple matter to run a small machine
code patch program beforehand but,
as you yourself point out, B.Elite resets
the computer when RUN.
Another possibility is to force ihe
printer port's output onto one pin and
use this as a crude serial signal, but
unfortunately this also requires an initial
patch to be run. My final idea is to
devise a piece of circuitry to take the
resulting parallel output from the
printer port, and turn it into serial form.
Not the easiest of solutions and
definitely last resort material, It really
is a shame thai Brunword can't be just
a little more flexible.
Armed with a disk sector editor, it
may be possible to track down the piece
of code that does the printing and
modify it - this now increases the
number of last resorts to two!
I shall endeavour to contact Peter
Brunning to see if an easier solution
exists, and update the situation next
month, In the meantime, if any
seasoned B.Elite users think they can
help then why not write in and get all
the glory.
That's about it for this time, Keep
those letter/ suggestions flooding in to
the usual address and Til see you all
next month with another batch of
problems.
Amstrad User February 1992
Page 43
UNDERGROUND
READING REVISITED
Alan Scully makes some new additions to the Fanzine lists
Virus
C/o Church Green, Shorehanvby-Sea,
W + Sx BN43 6JQ
Price: £1 plus A5 SSAE
Virus is an excellent name for a compu-
ter magazine, but the strange thing is,
it has absolutely nothing to do with
computers! Virus is the brain-storm of
a certain female called Jo, an ardent Vic
Reeves fan (yoti can tell this by the fact
that she actually had tickets for hig live
performances!). Issue 1 doesn't really
contain much in its 24 pages although
for a first attempt at a magazine it's
quite good . Four of the pages are taken
up by Jo*s story about first meeting Bob
and Vic. six by photography and an-
other four by an interview with Bob.
The other ten pages contain information
such as tour dates, details of the official
fan club and special offers (eg, Vic and
Bob keyrings and mirrors). There's
also a run down of magazines that Vic
and Bob have appeared in.
If you're a BNO fan then you should
find Virus quite interesting, otherwise
you're a boring sod who wouldn't know
humour if it was invited to a tea party
with Les (oooooonly joking* * ♦).
A-QK
31 Colebrook Road, Shirley, Solihull,
W Midlands B90 2LB
Price: £1 bi-monthly
Last time, I reviewed eight magazines
in UtL, all of a reasonably high quality.
■
. i—
31
a
THE A-OK GUIDE
IS
Unfortunately I can't say the same for
A-OK
While the magazine does contain
some interesting articles it is let down
by presentation. Produced using Page
Publisher and Stop Press, A-OK suffers
from faded print, bad page design and
bad layout Dotted through the maga-
zine are handwritten
comments, these don't
exactly add class to the
magazine. In fact A-OK
has broken all the rules
you are taught when you
take a City and Guilds in
DTP!
If the above doesn't
distract you too much
then you may find quite a
few interesting articles
lurking within A-OK p s
pages. The magazine
covers everything from
hardware to games to PD
to serious software to
listings, if s just a matter
of finding the articles in
the first place.
A-OK is one of those
fanzines that looks terrih
hie, but makes slightly
better reading. With a
vast improvement on
style and layout A-OK
would be a challenger to
the other zines on offer,
but as it isyou*d be better
one of the others.
119 Laurel Drive, East Kilbride, Glas-
gow G75 9JG
Price: £L25 + disc + stamped SAE,
every 6 weeks
Hey, this isn'tfair, you're plugging your
own fanzine again I hear you mumble
in a furious tone, This update is sup-
posed to be for new stuff. Ok, so I'm
plugging my own 'zine again, but for a
good reason, it is no longer being
printed! Instead it is now available on
Disk. The new disk-zine contains even
more than before, and issue 7 (the first
on disk) comes with a free Basic com-
piler that is actually better than the
commercial equivalent (according to
the reviews) , I won't say much more
about the disk-zine, just that issue 7
comes out on the 1 Oth of December.
DONT BUY WACCI
Wacci, mentioned last time in UK has
folded due to money troubles so if you're
thinking of buying it, don't!
DOMAIN
PHI BASIC COMPILER!
Amstratt User February 1332
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Amstrad User February 1992
45
TT Ve had a pretty exceptional time
I lately, what with fending off
A unwanted Crimble pressies and
trying to grab a few hours of
undisturbed playing time on my
favourite machine,
It's always the same, isn't it? You
open up your parcels and inside yon find
loads of games goodies that you Just
can't wait to ram Into your disc /tape
drive, but what happens?
That's right, you're not allowed to be
unsociable at Christmas, because the
family is coming around and going up to
play computer games is just downright
rude, isn't it?
Ah well, hopefully all the to do has
died down now f allowing you to get on
and try for the high scores in peace.
With that in mind T here's a little
something special for openers, to help
you to do just that on one of this year's
biggest Crimble hits. Turtles 2.
Now then, to make the most of this
excellent keypress cheat, what you
need to do is get on to the stage where
you choose your two turtles, Pick any
ones you fancy and then move on to the
key define option. Select define and
then redefine the keys as C,H,E AT.
That done, when asked to confirm this
selection, press N for no and then
redefine your keys any way you like ; for
joystick or board,
This done, you should be able to
advance fairly swiftly through the levels
and get even further towards the
showdown in theTechnodrome.
How's that for starters? Not bad, eh?
Anyway, staying on the old keypress
theme, here are afew more to whetyour
whistles. Remember Loudhailer Goose
and Pitiful Lobsters? Vou don't? Well,
they are the exceptional codes for Agent
XII, which we printed in an earlier
edition, To rou nd this one off nicely, try
typing in THE CHANGE GOT RAINED
ON, which just happens to be the entry
level code for part four,
If you liked the others, then thi s one
should help you out a treat. Moving on,
does anybody outthere remember the
golden oldie from Amsoft, The Galactic
Bogus ? If you do, then typing in ASTRO
while you are playing the game should
help to advance you a level or two.
Last, but by no means least, in this
month's little keypress foray, are a
couple of goodies for Deliverance- The
password for level two is RZSPWEES.
Sorry, no clues as to what it means,
but it certainly does the trick, as does
RBEPWEUJ for level three.
We'll take a slight pause here, for all
you keypressers to get to work. . . OK,
ail done? Right then, we'll move on
again r this time into the world of
Multifkce owners,
THE CHEAT
ZONE
This time, Daniel Prest has been
hard at work again, conjuring up some
of hi s old magic on a variety of games,
including a couple of golden oldies for
you games hoarders,
Here goes:
must smash the crate to get the axe.
Now go West and board the wreck. In
the Captain's cabin you must examine
the seaweed to find a cupboard, Julian
must chop at it to open it and the lock
will shatter. Take out the wooden box
GAME
ADDRESS
POKE
EFFECT
Deliverance (ptl)
&1131
&00
Infinite lives
Deliverance (pt2)
&1137
&00
u «
Deliverance (pt3)
&1134
&00
a «
TourDe Force
&33D6 '
&00
Infinite Cycles
Triaxos
&5B94
&00
Infinite Tune
Triaxos
&7322
&00
In finite Ammo
Mask 2
&169D
&00
Infinite Fuel
Cybernoid
&2BAE
&00
Infinite Lives
Cybemoid
&1A0D
&0O
Infinite Weapons
DrWho (Mines of Terror)
&0OD4
Infinite Regenerations
Cauldron 2
&1C90
&00 -
Infinite lives
Boot that little lot up and see how much
more damage you can cause. Thanks,
Daniel, 111 see if we can't dig up a little
reward for your efforts.
Before we move on, I've received a
small missive from a Mr Cartwright of
Caerphilly (sounds a bit cheesy to me) r
concerning a lack of pokes for Auf
Wiederseken Monty. Have we really
overlooked this mighty offering? If we
have* I am truly sorry and shall start
hunting around immediately to rectify
this problem. Meanwhile, if somebody
already has some belting pokes for this
awesome blast, then let me know and I
shall certainly make sure they get a
mention.
Onwards, ever onwards, this time to
the adventuring domain, Our little
outing to Famous Five land proved so
popular with you readers, that I am
forced to divulge a few more of the
secrets involved in Five on a Treasure
Island
So, brace yourselves and let's go,
Now then, once you have warmed
yourself up and eaten on Kirrin island,
you will need to investigate the
shipwreck on the rocks, First of all,
however, you must find the axe, which
is hidden in a crate in the cave. To do
this, go to the Eastern tip of the island.
Examine the heather to find a tree
stump. Tie the rope to the tree stump
and lower the rope down the hole to get
down-
Once there, either Julian or Dick
and get George to row you all back
home.
Next P go to Uncle Quentm*s study
and examine the shelves. Read one of
the books and then go up into the attic
with the box. Open the narrow window
and throw the box down onto the crazy
paving. When you get back down there,
Quentin will take the box into his study,
Now you must wait until you hear him
snoring, take out the box and open it.
Read the map and take it out of the
study-
After this, Quentin will take it away
from you and, shortly afterwards, sell
the box and all of the contents to a
stranger*
Got all that? Well, this is where the
action really starts hotting up and, if you
want to know any more goodies about
Five on a Treasure Island, well, you
know where to write.
Okeedokee! Another cry for help I
received very recently, was from a
proud owner of the all-new Dizzy
Collection. G, Brownlow of Hayes P
Middx, would like to know how on earth
you can get across the river Styx and be
able to pay the ferryman at the other
Well G t this is going to be one of the
simpler posers of this blast, so I wish
you well on your quest, as it gets
tougher from here on in.
In short, you need something
valuable to pay the Ferryman. This
something valuable turns out to be a
fimstrad User Fehrusry 1992
mm
nugget of gold, located in a hidden
cavern just before you arrive at the
river.
First, you must pick up the pick axe h
and use it to smash the rock which
blocks the cave entrance at the bottom
of the hill underneath the clouds.
Once inside, jump around a bit until
you locate the nugget* pick it up and you
should be able to bribe the ferryman
very nicely. Remember, however, not to
pay him until y ou get on the other side.
Now, that sounds vaguely familiar.
Where on earth have I heard that
before?
Never mind p it's Smith time! Yep,
here are a few more progette^
designed to get you blasting without the
hassles of losing those silly lives*
The first one is for Players 1 Firelord
offering, giving you infinite lives and
guaranteed to boost the fun of this one a
thousandfold.
F ire lord E Players }
2 k By Graham Smith
3 1 Infinite liv*s
10 DATA 2b, 09, 00 > 22 * 19, be
20 DATA 21 ,0^ be h 22 .09 ,00
30 DATA ^9^5,21 ,00, c3 , 22
4 0 DATA ab, 2e , 22 , 31 , 36 > el
50 DATA c 3^ MODE 1
60 FOR j=0 TO 24: HEAD a$
70 K=VALr , i"+aS J ;y=y+x
80 POKE j + 48640 1 x:NEXT j
90 IF y<>2045 GOTO 110
I told you it was fun, didn't I? The
second offering is for that brilliant blast,
Havoc. If you didn't like it the first time
around, it was probably because you
kept getting zapped at the crucial
moment Plug this little proggie in for
the tape blast and see how you like it
this time around.
I-. 1 * Havoc i tape }
2 T By Graham Smith
3 1 Infinite 1
lves
20 DATA 21 <Qd .be, 22 ,09*00
30 DATA cSpfS^a.Seiaf ,e
40 DATA 34.20,03, 32 T 6e,af
50 DATA f 1 . c3 : MODE 1
60 FOR j=0 TO £5;READ aS
TO x~VAU ,r &" + a$) r y=y+*
80 POKE j448640,x;NEXT j
90 IF y<>2474 GOTO 110
100 CALL 48640 :RUN ,_
110 PR I NT* data error
Last up is yet another Bombjack
cheat from Stephen Matthews. This
one gives you infinite lives and a simple
removal of line 4 should enable 464
users to get the best out of it as well.
This one's pretty straightforward, so
type it in and enjoy.
Wei I, I think that little lot should keep
you busy for a while. Remember, if you
need or have got specific help on any
CPC game, then you know where to
sendit
To finish off this month p here's a little
rib-tickler I heard recently that is
designed to annoy a certain minority
and it goes like this; Why do Essex
parents keep chickens? To show Essex
boys how to waik properly.
There, I told you it would annoy a
minority, especially those people who
live in, P . Hey, I live in Essex, now hold
on a minute.. +
10 DATA 2a, 09, 00 v 22*la > b<*
Amttatf User February 1$92
BOMB JACK CHEAT
2 1 INFINITE LIVES
3 1 By STEPHEN MATTBEWS remove line 4 if you use a normal 464!
4 ! TAPE :
7 '
10 MEMORY 5 999
20 BORDER 0;CLS:FOR f=0 TO 15 : INK f , 0 : NEXT f
30 MODE 0: LOAD ,p ? b jecreen . bin" B 491 52
40 FOR fsQ TO 15: READ a: INK f, a; NEXT fi
50 LOAD 11 Jbjcode . bin 11 , 6000
©0 POKE &L9FD.A0
70 CALL 6000
90 DATA 1 ,0, 26 , 8 t 24 , 13 ,11 ,6 , 15 . 16 „ 5 . 2 * 6 . 3 . 20 , 10
The Bug. Is it the ultimate in hand
held blasting? Jim Johnson
investigates,
Joysticks conic and
joysticks go. That is the
way of the world* or so
they say. I remember a
time when you went to buy
a joystick and that is exactly
what you got! A stick stuck
on a base with a couple of
fire buttons thrown in for
good measure.
Nowadays, of course,
times have changed and,
when you enter your local
computer shop and ask that
ill fated question t 'Could you
tell me where your joystick
section is t please?' you are,
more often than not,
directed to the shelf that
you first thought was a
leftover from the pet shop
that previously inhabited
the premises.
There, staring down al
you, is a motley assortment
of tortoises, sub-continental
looking amphibians and,
what's this, a bug?
From what I have just
written, you may have
guessed that I did enjoy
playing with the Bug.
Indeed I was so impressed,
in fact, that it has now
replaced my old favourite
and is fast becoming my
fave testing stick,
designed sticks I have ever
come across. What that
favourite term of the
makers means, is that it fits
superbly into either of your
hands.
The Bug really is
tremendously comfortable
to use, enabling you to play
:
Yes, the latest in the long
line of blasting gizmos is a
Me offering from Cheetah,
that looks something like a
well-nourished scarab with
a radar beacon on top.
Call me an old-fashioned
fuddy-duddy if you will, but
I have always been a firm
believer in the old school of
joysticks and, until I came
across this insectile
offering, I really did not
think that 1 would be
budged into actually
enjoying the nouveau
trends of the stick
manufacturers.
Page 48
I i
, * 5 .
» i
■ ■ i ■
* *
So just what is it that
makes the Bug so good.
Well, for starters, the Bug
is just about one of the
most ergon omically
almost single-handedly.
The stick itself is easily
accessible to the thumb,
with the forefinger left free
to do the blasting damage.
Mieroswitehes
With a fire button on either
side at the front, the Bug is
ideal for both left and right
handed players and
features an extremely
sturdy steel shaft on the
stick and high quality
m icro switches.
Quite apart from that, the
little beast looks and feels
mean, allowing for long-
ten u playing power without
any discomfort.
With autofire built in, do
not let the si^e of the Bug
lead you into thinking it is
only half a joystick when, in
fact, it is probably more like
a joystick and a half.
Performance
If there is one drawback to
this excellent device, it is
that the autofire button
cover slips off a little too
easily but, as this is purely
decorative, it does not
detract from performance
one bit,
Blasting
All in all if you want all
round blasting power at an
affordable price, then throw
out your old assumptions
and move on to a new plane
of stick standards. It
shouldn't be too long
before a lot of people get
the Bug, if you get my
meaning.
Amstrad User Fehruary 1992
■PEDALS!
PEDAL POWER
Put your foot down for the next outrageous stick offering,
ell, you ve seen the Bug,
now it's time to dig on I your
old race games and give
Qinckjoy's Footpedal offering a test
drive.
Do you remember Chris Price's
Black Box? We at ACU gave the
lowdown on it quite some time ago and,
considering the big response Chris got
EXAMPLE wm
taking over three of the normal
functions of your regular stick.
What that means for race lovers, is
I hat you can reconfigu re the foot pedals
to correspond to the accelerator, brake
and clutch of your motor, just like the
real thing, leaving your handheld to
take care of the steering.
On beat-em-ups, or Ninja offerings,
reconfigured in a trice, simply by
pushing the sliding buttons into the
correct sequence.
Once that's done, you're on your way
to yet more high scores with this
to the
gamesters out there like anything that
enhances the feel of your latest
pu rch ase s. _ _
Following on from that exceUe n t foot
pedal device, though on a much more
commercial vein, is Spectravideo's
latest stick in novation, or should I say
non-stick innovation.
Basically, the Footpedal is designed
to enhance your existing joystick* by
those flying kicks much more
satisfying, it really is that versatile.
The beast itself looks superb, decked
out with multicoloured pedals against
an ice cool grey surroii ml . Operation is
simple as well, with the Footpedal
plugging directly into Ihe machine, and
your regular joystick plugging into the
second lead from the pedals,
Using an extremely simple switch
over box, the three pedals can be
g that
enhances your playing power has got
to be a must for serious gamesters and
the Footpedal does exactly that.
Extremely durable, Ihe Footpedal
should give you hours of endless iun. A
joy to use, as well as being a very
practical piece of equipment, this is
certainly no gimmick. Featuring
industry standard micros witches, you
should be able to hammer this one
around like there's no tomorrow, and
still end up ahead of the opposition.
If you li ke to get the most out of your
games, you need the right equipment^
and tiiis is one offering well worth
getting your hands on. If s applications
really depend on your own preferences,
even though it lends itself to some
games more than others.
All we need now, to finish the job off t
is a proper Race Ace steering wheel
Any offers?
John Taylor
Amstead User February 1
1
The Footpedal
Spectravideo
Cost; £2 4,99
ACU Rating 90%
ROUTINE
INFORMATION
Glynne Davies tells you how to get hold
of your data and how to
store it away afterwards.
T his month's additions to the
Ea$ydmw2 program are the file
handling routines together with
a full screen save to memory and dis-
play of the files on the disc. Any pro-
gram which handles data needs a sy&-
tern to allow the Information held within
ihe computer to be saved or loaded
using a backing store (tape or disc).
In the case of Easydraw2 the infor-
mation to be saved or loaded is graphical
and stored within the computer in a
piece of memory reserved for the
screen, this screen memory is the top
16K of the computer's memory.
Disc Catalogue
When using a disc drive you can find
out what files are on the disc by en ter-
ing CAT which will d i splay all the names
of files on the screen, To obtain a cata-
logue when the program is running,
the key word CAT can still be used but
as the information is placed on the
screen this will affect your graphics. It
is therefore necessary to save the
screen before attempting a catalogue
of the disc, this is achieved by copying
the screen memory (Video RAM) to
another section in memory. To copy
16K of memory to another portion of
memory can be achieved using Basic's
PEEK and POKE but this will b* slow
so I have included a small piece of
machine code to do the job.
Variables
toprnem Maximum memory avail
able to Basic,
store load/Save toggle, store=l
(SAVE) store =0(LOAD)
\ askl$ Either Save or Load
A Look At The listing
| Line 11 Check HIMEM to see if the
computer is tape or disc.
Line 16 Lower the memory available
I to Basic to allow for a 16K screen
dump-
Line 310 CTRL+C to Catalogue the
Line 320 CTRL+S to Save a picture/
drawing,
line 330 CTRL+L to Load a picture/
drawing.
Line 20030 Change the line in the
double-height routine to allow for the
$8 50
change in memory.
line 24040 Call the machine code to
save a picture from screen to RAM,
Line 24060 Do not use the catalogue
routine if the computer is a tape only
machine.
line 24110 Replace screen from the
memory.
Line 24510 Check and set up for Save
or Load.
Line 24530 Save ans$ (the name for
the file) as a binary file from the
video RAM if store-L Load ans$ to
memory if slore=0. NOTE the SAVE
routine is ans$ (name of the file), b
(Binary type) , &5F75 (Start of video
RAM), &40O0 (Length of file in
hytes). (& means the number is in
hexadecimal base 16).
The listing
Type in the listing below after loading
the program EASY4, Easydraw2 so far.
11 IF HIMEM>42619 THEN
topmem=42239;ELSE
topmem=40955:REM Is it disc or
tape, Toprnem is used by the double
height routine
16 MEMORY 24410;REM Reserve
space for a screen dump to memory
and the character set
18 GOSUB 25000:REM Load
machine code
310 IF 1NKEY(62)=128 THEN
GOSUB 24000:GOSUB 2410O:REM
CTRL+C to Save to memory call
24411, cat the disc and then return
screen from memory
320 IF INKEY{60)=128 THEN
store-LGOSUB 240O0:GOSUB
24500:GOSUB 241O0:REM CTRL+S
to Save Screen to memory
330 IF INKEY(36)=128 THEN
GOSUB 24000:GOSUB
24500:GOSUB 24100;HEM CTRL+L
to Load a Screen to memory
20030 p=PEEK(topmem+(S*(pk
32))+set):REM set p to the byte
24000 REM Save the screen to
memory and cat the disc, replace the
screen
24010 GOSUB 11000: GOSUB
12000: REM Reset the screen to
MOVE
24020 CLS;KEM Remove the top line
24030 GOSUB 5070:REM Remove
the cursor
24040 CALL 2441LREM Use the
Machine code to save the screen
24050 WINDOW 1,80, 1,25: REM
Large window
24060 CLS:IF topmem=42239 THEN
RETURN: REM If the machine is tape
only do not catalogue
24070 FOR n-1 TO 20:CALL
&B B 1 B:N EXT: REM Flus the buffer
24080 CAT
24090 PRINT "Press any key" :CALL
&BB18
24095 RETURN: REM Allow for
LOAD and SAVE
24100 WINDOW 1,80,1,1:REM
Replace status window
24110 CALL 24423:REM Replace
24120 GOSUB 12000
24130 GOSUB 5070:REM replace
cursor
24140 RETURN
24500 REM Load and Save Screen
Pictures
24510 IF stored THEN askl$="Save
":ELSE askl$-"Load "
24520
str = l:xx= 1 2: -8:ask$=askl$+"the file
called": GOSUB 3000: REM Use the
input routine
24530 IF store=l THEN SAVE
ans$,b,&5F75,&40GQ:ELSE LOAD
ans$,&5F75
24540 store* 0
24550 RETURN
25000 REM *** machine code for
screen dump ***
25010 FOR n=24411 TO 24434
25020 READ x
25030 POKE n,x
25040 NEXT n
25050 RETURN
25060 DATA
1 ,0,64,33,0,19247, 1 17,95,237, 176,201
25070 DATA
1,0,64,33,1 17,95,17,0,192,237,176,201
Try drawing a picture and saving it,
catalogue the disc and load the picture
back from disc.
FILLING AN ENCLOSED AREA
PAINT
Paint is a routine to fill an enclosed
shape, the shape must be regular and
enclosed on the right and left side of
the cursor. Because of all the checking
required within this routine the speed
Amstrad User February 1982
of the fill is slow, but due to a POKE to
the computer's drawing routine 245
patterns are available. This routine
would need to be written in machine
code for speed, the basic version here
demonstrates the principle. To use the
routine, locate the cursor within the
shape, press P and enter the required
pattern number.
Considerations
1) As this is likely to be slow there must
be a way of stopping the routine,
2) Each pixel to the left of the cursor
must be checked until a lit pixel is
found this is the boundary. This is re-
peated on the right of the cursor.
3) Once two lit pixels are found a line
can be drawn between them.
4) The routine must check for lit pixels
above and below the cursor for the
vertical boundaries.
5) The routine will search for a lit pixel
below the cursor to start with. The fill
will then fill from the bottom upwards,
xser
yser
left*
rights
stripe
Variable*
X search position.
Y search position.
Distance moved from the
cursor left, (An integar is used
to speed up the search ,)
Distance moved from the
cursor right.
The lines drawn when Poked
with a number produces a
striped effect. The variable
stripe is used to change the
line type on alternative lines
forming a pattern,
A Look at the listing
Line 340 Press P for the paint Pattern
line 4025 If Enter is pressed Fill in as a
solid. NOTE the keyword FILLisused,
this is only available on the 664 and
6128. For 464 remove part of the line
rFTLL l:GOSUB 5070;RETURN
Also note that the POKE address will
need to be changed on line 4197.
Line 4026 Restrict the Poke number to
245 to allow a change of line,
line 4050 The TEST keyword looks at
a pixel at co-ordinates x and y and
returns the present colour of that pixel
(the paper colour is 0 and the pen
colour is 1) . This forms a loop until a lit
pixel is found,
line 4096 If S (Stop) is pressed place
a lit pixel above the cursor. Hi is will
stop the routine,
Line 4110 A loop to move one pixel
left until a lit pixel is found.
Line 4150 As above but to the right.
Line 4195 Make stripe 10 or 0
Line 4197 POKE the number into the
systems line drawing routine with
alternate lines increased by 10 ,
Line 4200 Draw the line,
line 4207 Set a pixel to colour 1 if the
screen boundary is found.
The listing (Ensure the complete
listing to date is in memory)
340 IN INKEY(27)=0 THEN GOSUB
1 1000:mde$-*TAIMT';GOSUV
12000;GOSUB 4000:GOSUB
11000:GOSUB 12Q00
3990 REM
4000 REM Paint an enclosed shape
4010 GOSUB 5070: REM remove
cursor
4020 xx-12:=3:ask$=Tlease Enter
the style number, Enter for
soIid":str=0:GQSUB 3000:REM
Numbers between 1 and 255 paint in
vertical stripes
4025 IF VAL(ans$)<l THEN
pke-255;FILL liGOSUB
5070:RFrURN:ELSE
pke-VALfans$):REM *** 464 »** f$j
will not work on the 464 therefore
remove :FILL LGOSUB 5070:RE-
TURN:
4026 IF pke>245 AND pke<255
THEN pke=245
4030 REM search for the bottom
4040 xser^x:yser-Y
4050 WHILE TEST(xser,yser) =
0:REM check for a lit pixel
4060 yser=vser-2
4070 IF y ser<3 THEN PLOT
xse^yser^REM if no pixels exist
create one at the bottom
4075 WEND
4077 LOCATE 12J:PRINT*Ho!d
down S to stop. Release on sound"
4080 REM Move up, check and draw
line
4085 yser*=yser+2
4090 WHILE TEST (xser, yser)=0
4095 left%-0:right%=0
4096 IF INKEY(6G>0 THEN PRINT
CHS$(7):PLOTxser p yser+2 s l:REM
Stop the routine if S is pressed
4100 REM find pixel to the left
4110 WHILE TEST(xser-
left%,yser)=0
41201eflS=]eft%+l
4130 IF xseHeft%<! THEN PLOT
xser-left%,yserj
4140 WEND
4150 REM find pixel to the right
4160 WHILE TESTfrser+rightft,
yser)=0
4170 right%=right%+l
4180 IFxser+right36>63S THEN
PLOT xser+right% t yser,l
4190 WEND
4195 IF pke<>255 THEN
stripe-{stdpe+l0) MOD 20:ELSE
stripe=0
4197 POKE &B6A3.pke+$tripe:REM
POKE &B338 J pke+stripe for *** 464
*** owners
4200 MOVE xser4eft%+l,yser:DRAW
xser+right%-l,yser
4205 yser^yser+2
4207 IF yser>381 THEN PLOT
xser,yser F l;REM stop the upward
flow
4120 WEND .
4215 GOSUB 5O70:REM Replace
cursor
4220 RETURN
Save the listing as EASY5. That's it
until next month 's shape routine, a sys-
tem to memorise a shape, enlarge or
shrink Stand save a collection of shapes
to disc or tape for future use.
If you missed the previous months,
1h is is the listing EASY4.
10 REM EA5TDRAW2
15 SYMBOL AFTER 32
20 REM Variables xy (co-ordinates)
jump (cursor move distance)
21 REM variables ip (ink pen) ib (ink
border/paper) d (display) mde$
(mode selected)
23 REM variable beam Oeave line if
beam is on)
24 REM Variable ele (Elastic band
switch) xf.yf (origin for Elastic band)
25 REM Variables ansS (Input string)
xx (Input position) (Input length) str
(string if 1 numeric if 0)
26 REM Variables angle (Arc angle) r
(radius)
28 REM variables rub (rubout
variable) origx,origy (original x and
y)
29 REM Variables side (amount of
sides in shape) sa (Start angle of
shape)
40 x=320;y=200: jump=10:ip- 13:ib-
0:mde$^MOVE"
45 INK l t ip:INK O t ib: BORDER ib
50 MODE 2:REM 640x200 graphics
52 WINDOW l s 79 T l T l:ORIGIN
0 J 0,0 t 640 h 384 t 0:GOSUB 12000:REM
Set up a text window (window) to be
the top line. Set up a graphics win-
dow (origin) for the remaining
screen
60 GOSUB 5O70:REM draw cursor
70 WHILE trip-0
80 REM Remove keypress for speed
90 GOSUB 5000;KEM Cursor move
100 IF IN KEY (53) - 1 2 8 TH EN
ip=0p+l) MOD 27:INK l t ip:IF ip=ib
THEN ip=ip+l:INK l,ip:REM If
CTRL+F are pressed change the
Foreground colour
110 IF INKEY(54)=128 THEN
ib=(ib+l) MOD 27:INK 0,ib:BORDER
Bfl
Amstrad User February 19S2
Fags 51
ib:lP ib=ip THEN ib-ib+l:INK
O t ib:BORDER ib;REM If CTRL+B are
pressed change the Background
colour and the Border colour
120 IF TNKEY(61)=128 THEN
d=(d+l) MOD 2:LOCATE
12,1:FR1NT SPACE$(16);:REM If
CTRL+D are pressed switch on x,y
Display
130 IF d=l THEN LOCATE
12,1:PRINTSPACE$(16);: LOCATE
12,1: PRINT "X^x;* Y=*;y;:REM
Display X and Y
140 IF INKEY(50) =128 THEN
GO SUB 5070:x=320:y«200;GOSUB
5070:1F d=l THEN LOCATE
12,1:PRINT "X^pt; 1 * Y=;y;:REM Reset
X to 320 and Y to 200
150 IF INKEY{54)=0 THEN GOSUB
1 1 000:beam=l :a=x:b=y:GOSUB
1200:REM Reset all the function
variables to zero Cine 11000) and
Reprint status line
160 IF beam=l THEN GOSUB
4500:a=xib=y
170 IF INKEY (38) =0 THEN GOSUB
11000:GOSUB 12000
180 IF INKEY (58) =0 THEN GOSUB
110(X^=*tmde$- , ELASTIC , :ele=im5lJB
12000:REM Press E to switch on
Elastic band F to Fix a line
190 IF ele-1 THEN GOSUB 6000
200 IF INKEY(53)=0 AND ele-1
AND tl=0THEN
a-xf:b=yf:set=0;GOSUB 4500:REM
Press F to Fix the line from Elastic
210 rF INKEY(59)=160 THEN
CLG:GOSUB 5070:REM Press CTRL
+ SHIFT + W to clear screen and
replace cursor
220 IF INKEY(45)=0 THEN
str=0:xx=12:ask$="PLEASE ENTER
THE JUMP LENGTH"I:=3:GOSUB
30O0:jump-VAL(ans$) :GOSUB
12O00:REM Press J to change jump
size. This is numeric and the str
variable is set to 0. (str xx ask$ and 1
are all needed for the Input routine.
230 IF INKEY(51=0) AND text=0
THEN mde$='TEXT:GOSUB
1 3 K )!t>:x- 12srr=l2KkS="l EXT= w HOGQSUB
3000:IF LEN(ansS)>0 THEN GOSUB
11000^=l^=*n$==ans$ch^ 16* XXSUB
5100
240 IF INKEY(53) =0 AND text-1
THEN GOSUB 2000:REM Press F to
Fix the Text in position
250 IF text=l THEN GOSUB 15000
260 IF text=l AND 1NKEY(51)=0
THEN tms=(tms+l) MOD
2:texl=8:hig=16:IF tms=l THEN
texl=16:hig=32
270 IF INKEY (69)=0 THEN GOSUB
1 1000:mde$-"ARC ff : GOSUB
12000: GOSUB 10000: GOSUB
11 000: GOSUB 12000
280 IF INKEY (50) =0 THEN GOSUB
1 1 000rub=l :mde$-"RUBBER":GOSUB
12000
290 IF rub=l THEN GOSUB 16000
300 IF rNKEY(62)=0 THEN GOSUB
H000:mde$=TIRCLE";GOSUB
12000:GOSUB 7000:GOSUB
11000:GOSUB 12000:REM Press C
for Circle /Shape routine
500 WEND
2000 REM Position text
2010TAG:REM Set the text at the
graphics position
2020 IF hig=32 THEN GOSUB 20000
ELSE PRINT n$;:REM Choose
Double or single
2030 TAGOFF: REM Switch back to
normal text
2040 RETURN
3000 REM Input routine
3005 FOR n=l TO 20:CALL
&BB1B:NEXT:REM Flush the
keyboard buffer
3010 ans$= w ":GOSUB 12000;REM
Reset ans$ to null and clear status
line
3020 LOCATE xx.l:PRlNTask$+"
*4CHR$W+SPA(^a)+CHl$OT
Print the question and answer space
3025 IF str=0 THEN
liml-47:lim2=58:ELSE
liml-31:lim2=127
3030 k$="
"xx=xx+LEN(ask$)+2:REM reset xx
to answer position
3040 WHILE ASC(k$)ol3:REM
Loop until Enter is pressed
3050 k$-" AWHILE k$="
":k$-INKEY$:WEND:REM Loop to
wait for keypress
3060 IF ASC(k$)>liml AND
ASC(k$)<lim2AND LEN(ans$)<l
THEN ans$»ans$+k$:REM Accept
any keyboard character into the
string if the string is below L If str=0
then numbers only
30701FASC&SM27AND
LEN (ans$)>0 THEN
ans$=LEFT$ (ans$ t LEN (ans$) -
1) :REM If DEL is pressed remove a
character if one exists
3080 LOCATE xx,l:PRlNT
SPACE$(l);:LOCATE xx,kPRINT
ans$;:REM Remove old string and
replace with the new string
3090 WEND
3100 GOSUB 12000: REM remove
information
3110 RETURN
4500 REM draw line (BEAM)
4510 GOSUB 5070: REM Remove
cursor
4520 MOVE a,b
4530 DRAW x,y P l
4540 GOSUB 5070: REM Replace
cursor
4550 RETURN
4990 REM
********* ************ *
5000 REM Cursor move
5010 IF INKEY (1)=0 THEN GOSUB
5070:x=x+jump:GOSUB 5070
5020 IF 1 NKEY(8)=0 THEN GOSUB
5070:x=x-jump: GOSUB 5070
5030 IF TNKEY(2)=0 THEN GOSUB
5070:y-y-jump:GOSUB 5070
5040 IF INKEY(0)-0 THEN GOSUB
5O70ry =y+jump: G OSUB 5070
5060 RETURN
5065 REM
**************************
5070 REM Draw cursor
5080 IF text-1 THEN RETURN
5100 LOCATE 1,1:PRINT
CHR$(23)+CHH$(1):REM set xor
mode,
5110 MOVE x-10 t y:DRAW x+10,y,l
5120 MOVE x,y-l0:DRAW x t y+10,l
5130 LOCATE l f l:PRINT
CHR$(23)+CHR$(0):REM Reset
graphics to normal
5140 RETURN
6000 REM Elastic Band
6010 LOCATE 1,1:PRINT
CHR$(23)+CHR$(1):REM XOR mode
6020 IF set=0 THEN
xf=x:yf=y:set=l:MOVE xf,yf:DRAW
x,y t l;REM Fix xf and yf when set=0
6030 MOVE xf.vf:DRAW x,y,l
6040 FOR w-1 TO 10:NEXT;REM a
short pause
6050 DRAW xtytl
6060 LOCATE 1,1:PRINT
CHR$ (23)+CHRS(0):REM Normal
Mode
6070 RETURN
7000 REM Circle and Shape routine
7010 IF r=0 THEN r-40
7020 REM Input the horizontal radius
and vertical radius to allow for
ellipses, for circular objects set
radius and press F twice
7030 start=-l:angle=PI/2:LOCATE
12,1:PRINT "Horizontal
Radius": GO SUB 10030:rx=nREM
Use Arc routine
7040 FOR n=l TO 20:CALL
&BB 1B:NEXT:REM Flush the buffer
7050 LOCATE 12,1: PRINT "Vertical
Radius ";angle=G:GOSUB
10030:ry=r:start=O:REM Use arc
routine
7060 ask$="Enter then amount of
sides or Enter for
circle":xx- 12; i-3;str=0: GOSUB
3000:side-VAL(ans$)
7070 IF side=0 THEN side=100:REM
If Enter is pressed set up a 100 part
7080 IF side<16 THEN ask$;]= w Enter
the start angle 0-
360":xx= 1 2: 1=3 : str =0: GOSUB
3000:sa=VAL(ans$):sa=2*Pl* (sa/360)
7090 GOSUB 5070: REM remove
cursor
7100 MOVE x+SIN(-
Pl*sa) *rx,y+COS (-PI+sa) *ry: REM
move to the bottom of shape
7110 FOR n=-PI+sa TO PI+0.2+sa
STEP (2*PI)/side:REM Calculate the
positions for a circle of (side) sides
7120 DRAW
x+SIN (n) *rx,y+COS (n) *ry,l:REM
Draw a straight line between posi-
tions
7130 NEXT
7140 GOSUB 5070: REM replace
cursor
I 7150 RETURN
7160 IF INKEY(53)=0 AND start-1
I THEN arc=l
I 7170 IF start<l THEN GOSUB
I 5000;PRINT
I CHR$(23)+CHR$(1);:REM cursor
keys
I 7180 IF start=-l THEN
I arc=0:RETURN;REM Use the Arc
routine but return at this point
• 10000 REM ARC
I 10010 angle=0:IF r=0 THEN
r»20:REM Set a radius if none exists
I 10030 WHILE arc*=0
I 10040 IF INKEY{60) =0 AN D start-0
I THEN s=angle:xy=l;MOVE
x,y;DRW x+r*SlN (angle) ,y+r*
I COS(angle),l:start=l:KEM Press S
for the start position of the arc
1 10050 IF 1NKEY (53) -0 AND start= 1
THEN are=l:f-angle:REM Press F at
the Finish position of the arc
I 10O55 1 F INKEY (53) =0 AND start=-l
I THEN anc-l:REM Selection of radius
from the circle routine
I 10060 IF INKEY(39)=0 THEN
I angle-angle-0.05;REM Move the arm
anti clockwise KEY<
I 10070 IF IN KEY(3 1) -0 THEN
angle=angle+0.05;EEM Move the
arm clockwise KEY >
I 10080 IF INKEY{28)«0 THEN
I r=r+4:REM Increase the radius KEY
I +
I 10090 IF IN KEY (25) =0 AND r>4
| THEN r-r-4:REM Decrease the
I radius KEY -
I 10100 if inkey(37)=0 THEN
xx=12:str=0:l=3;ask$="Enter the
1 Radius =":GOSUB
| 3000:r=VAL(ans$) : REM Press K to
I Key in the Radius
1 10110 IFstart<l then gosub
5000: PRINT
I CHR$ (23) ;CHR$U);:REM cursor
k £ V £
I 10120 MOVEx,y
I 10130 DRAW
x+r*SIN (angle) s y4r*COS(angle) , 1
I 10140 MOVE x f y
1 10150 DRAW
I x+r SIN (angle) ,y+r* COS(angle) , l
10160 WEND
10165 IF mdeS^CIRCLE" THEN
arc=0: RETURN :REM Return to the .
circle routine
1 10170 IF f<s THEN inc-0.02 ELSE
Amstrad User February 1932
inc=0n02
10180 MOVE x,y:DRAW
x+r*SIN(s),v+r*COS(s),l
10190 PRINT CHR$(23)+CHR$(0);
10200 MOVE
x+r*$IN(s),y+r*COS(s>
10210 FOR n-s TO f STEP inc:REM
Draw the ARC
10220 DRAW
x+r*SIN (n) ,y+r*COS{n) ,1
10230 NEXT
10240 an>0:start=0:REM reset
variables
10260 RETURN
11000REM Reset all function vari-
ables to zero
11005 IF text=l THEN
text=0;GOSUB 5070: REM Switch off
text and replace the cursor
11010
start=0:beam=0:ele=0:fi=0:rub=0:xy=
0:tl=0:tb=0;t- 0:mde$=" MOVE"
11020 RETURN
12000 CIS
12002 IF beam=l THEN
mde$="BEAM*
12004 IF ele=l THEN
mde$^ELASTIC"
12006 IFjump-0 THEN jump=l:REM
Ensure jump exists
12010 LOCATE l t l:FRINT
"Jump-'^ump^REM Distance the
cursor moves
12020 LOCATE 70,1:FRINT
mde$;:REM Working mode selected
12030 IF d=l THEN U)CATE
1 2,1:PRINT SPACES (16);: I £>C ATE
1 2, LPRINT "X="ac;" Y=";y;:REM
Display X and Y
12040 RETURN
15000 REM text box
15005 LOCATE 1,1:PRINT
CHR$(23)+CHR$(1);
15010 MOVE x,y
15020 DRAW
x+LEN (n&) *texl,y,l:DRAW
x+LEN (n$) *texl,y-hig,l:DRAW x,y-
hig,l:DRAW x,y t l
15030 DRAW
x+LEN (nS) *texl,y,l;DRAW
x+LEN(n$) •texly-hig, LDRAW x,y
hig.LDRAW x t v,l
15035 LOCATE 1,1:PRINT
CHR$(23)+CHR$(0);
15040 RETURN
16000REM Remove a chosen block
from the screen
16010 LOCATE 1 F 1:PRINT
CHR$(23)+CHR$(l);
16015 IF start=0 THEN
start=l:origx=x:origy=y
16020 MOVE origx t origy
16030 DRAW x,origy,l:DRAW
x,y,l:DRAW origx,y,l:DRAW
origx t origy p l
1(5040 DRAW x,origy,l:DRAW
x,y,l:DRAW origx,y,l:DRAW
origx t origy,l
16050 IF INKEY(53)-0 THEN
GOSUB 16100
16060 RETURN
16100 IF x<origx THEN
xs=x:xe=origx:ELSE
xs=origx:xe=x:REM find the XStart
and Xend for the window
16110 IF y<origy THEN
ys=y :y e=origy : E LSE
ys=origy:ye=y:REM find the YStart
and YEnd for the window
16115 GOSUB 5070 :REM remove
cursor
16120 ORIGIN xs+4,ys ( xs+4,xe-
4,ys,ye:CLG:REM Redefine the
graphics screen and clear the new
window
16130 ORIGIN 0,0,O,64O,384,O:REM
Reset graphics screen
16140 GOSUB 5070:REM replace
cursor
16150 RETURN
19990 REM Double height Double
width routine
20000 FOR n=l TO LEN(n$)
20010 pk=ASC(MID8(n$,n,l))
20020 FOR set=l TO 8
20030 p=PEEK(HIMEM+{8* (pk-
32)) +set) :REM set p to the byte
20040 GOSUB 20150:REM Change to
two nibbles (a nibble is half a byte) (4
bits)
20050 NEXT'
20060 REM convert the characters
255,254,253,252 into the four quarters
of a block
20070 SYMBOL 255,hb(l) f hb (1), hb
(2),hb (2),hb(3),hb (3), hb(4),hb (4)
20080 SYMBOL 254,1b (1), lb (1), lb
(2),lb(2).lb(3)Jb(3).lb(4) 1 lb(4)
20090 SYMBOL 253,hb(5) hb (5) ,hb
(6),hb (6),hb (7),hb (7) t hb(8),hb(8)
20100 SYMBOL 252,lb(5) ,1b (5) ,1b
(6),lb(6),Ib(7),lb (7) ,1b (8) ,1b (8)
20110 MOVE x+mov,y:PRINT
CHRS(255):CHR$(254);
20115 MOVE x+mov,y-16: PRINT
CHRS(253),CHR$(252);
20120 mov=mov+16
20130 NEXT
20135 mov=0
20140 RETURN
20150 REM change to two nibbles
20160 lb=p AND 15:a=lb:GOSUB
20190:1b (set) =nn:nn=0
20170 hb-p AND 240ia-hb/
16-GOSUB 20190:hb(set)=nn:nn=0
20180 RETURN
20190 REM change nibbles TO bytes
20200 IF a=0 THEN RETURN
20210 IF a-8>=0 THEN
nn=nn+192:a=a'8
20220 IF a4>=0 THEN nn=nn+48;
a=a-4
20230 IF a-2>=0 THEN nn-nn+12:
a=a-2
20240 IF a=l THEN nn=nn+3
20260 RETURN
Page 53
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55
THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL DIGITAL DIARY
irsA...
TELEPHONE
DIRECTORY
I Hi Hii ;
MEMO-PAD
/
CALENDAR
SCHEDULE KEEPER
SECRET FILE
S SO MUCH MO
Only £69.95
(plus p&p)
The Casio Digital Diary will organise your
personal and business data at a stroke. The
large liquid crystal display screen offers you
simple and easy viewing-
A built-in 199 year calendar lets you enter a
date to recall the calendar for the entire month
to the display. You can even recall any month up
to the year 2099. Simply enter a time and
description and your daily appointments are
automatically stored and displayed in
chronological order.
All your daily schedules are indicated by
marks that appear on the one-month calendars
for quick monthly reviews. Each schedule item
has a 5 5 -character
capacity which
allows you to
include the who,
what, when and
where oi each
appointment
made. Just a stroke
of a key, whisks
you into the
Telephone
Di recto ry where
T500 numbers can
be easily stored.
Up to 96 characters for each name and 96
characters for each number — all in
alphabetical order. With a useful Memo
Function, Calculator Facility plus a Secret
File to protect your information from prying
eyes — This must be one of the best pocket-
size digital diaries around.
The Casio Personal Digital Diary is yours
for only £69-95 p' us P&P ~~ ^ we as ^ * s ^ ac
you don t leave home — without one!
Post the coupon — Today!
AMSTRAD COMPUTE* USEfl
DEPT IACU, 11S WEST STREET. FAYER5HAM, KENT ME13 7JB
IT
► PRIORITY ORDER <
AMSTRAD COMPUTER USER
Dept LACU
116 West Street Faversham, Kent ME 13 7JB
PLEASE SEND ME THE CASIO PERSONAL DIGITAL DIARY
Name
BLOCK _fcl itHS PLEASE
Pns1 Code
Tftl No: (in case of querns)
I havfl enclosed my CriaqueAFcBtBl Order made payable to
R&PC- READER ACCOUNT tot E
which ic jcui y
CUSTOMER SERVICE TEL: 0795 532109
9am -5pm Monday- Friday
addMionai postage and packing per ortfer
Afkm 28 days MiWify ffom f£QWpi of order
No claims for lOSfi in transil ca^ be m^tfe sfle-r £0 daya
Amtratt User February 1992
mi
▲
BY DAVID HALL
Here's a little something to include in
your latest program that should set it
off a treat Using some clever machine
code programming, this gem allows
you to create t save and load text onto
the screen, and then scroll it across in
glorious technicolour.
Hie text is clear and bold and N if you
know anybody who owns a shop, they
may even want to use it to show off his
or her latest cut-price turnips, or some-
thing. Try it and see what you think.
10
20
30
40
50
60
By David Hall [Fl]
** ALPHA SCROLL **
(C) March 1991 [F2]
[F3J
Amstrad CPC version [F4]
for AMSTRAD COMPUTER USER [F5]
[F6J
70 IF HIMEM=9999 THEN 100 [36]
80 SYMBOL AFTER 31 [21 ]
90 MEMORY 9999 [50]
100 INK 0,0 [27]
14 [CD]
16 [F0]
2 [5E]
1 [5E]
3 [7F]
6 [A2]
15 [12]
16 [29]
26 [3F]
200 BORDER 0 [A5]
210 store=100Q0 [5E]
220 FOR loopl=l TO 46
230 suro=Q [78]
240 READ cod©$ s total [33]
250 FOR loop2=l TO 24 STEP 2
260 value=VAL( +MIDS ( code* , loop2 , 2 ) ) [C2]
£70 POKE store .value [DD]
280 sum=sum+value [C7]
290 s tore=store+l [8F]
300 NEXT loop2 [AC]
310 IF subtotal THEN 340 [75]
320 PRINT "Error in line " ; 1 120+loopl* 10 [28]
3 30 END [F2]
110 INK
120 INK
130 INK
140 INK
150 INK
160 INK
170 INK
180 INK
190
1
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
8
[55]
340 NEXT loopl [A6]
350 MODE 1 [B6]
360 PEN 3 [4A]
370 PRINT "A L P E A
380 PRINT [32]
SCROLL" [£Aj
Amstrad User February 1332
Page 55
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500
510
520
530
540
550
560
S70
580
590
600
610
620
630
640
650
660
670
680
PEN 2
PRINT "Type name of file to load or" [46]
PRINT
PRINT
PEN 1
LINE INPUT
IF lname$=
"press ENTER to create
[27]
[33]
? . ■ . . 'i name $ [FE]
THEN 480 [40]
a message
II Pt
700
710
720
730
740
750
760
770
780
790
800
810
820
830
840
850
860
870
880
890
900
910
LOAD InameS ,12000 [7B]
GOTO 950 [74]
x=l [Dl]
y = l [D8]
store=12000 [77]
MODE 2 [BA ]
PEN 1 [32]
PRINT " ALPHA SCROLL by David Hall - Please "; [5C]
PRINT "type your message ( SPACE LEFT = 20000 )" [11]
PRINT " ===== ====== (c) Mar 1990" [CF]
PRINT STRINGS (80 , "*" ) [D6]
LOCATE 1,25 [EB]
PRINT STRINGS ( 80 t M *") ; [F8]
WINDOW £1,1,80.4,24 [ B7 j
LOCATE £l,x,y [19]
PRINT £1,CHR$(143) [4E]
i$=INKEY$ [25]
IF i$="" THEN 600 [59]
IF i$OCHR$(127) THEN 690 [E3]
LOCATE £1 ,x,y [23 J
PRINT £1 , " " [36]
SOUND 4 . 1000 ,2 [FD]
GOTO 880 [8F]
IF i$=CHR$U6> THEN 600 [F8]
IF i$OCHR$(13) AND store<>32000 THEN 760
CLS [45]
PRINT "Type in filename to SAVE or" [4Ej
[C9]
930
940
950
970
980
PRINT "press ENTER to continue :
LINE INPUT "",sname$ [49]
GOTO 950 [73]
IF ASCU$)>180 THEN 850 [67]
SOUND 4,100,2 [80]
POKE store ,ASCU»)-31 [73]
store=store+l [94]
LOCATE £l,x,y [IB]
PRINT £1 , i$ [0C]
x=x+ 1 [0B]
IF x = 81 THEN x=l:y=y+l [81]
IF y=21 THEN PRINT £l;y=y-l [B2]
LOCATE 71,1 [E3]
PRINT 32000-store [65]
GOTO 600 [23]
IF x=l AND y-1 THEN 600 [FF]
x=x-l [29]
IF x=0 THEN x=80:y=y-l [B3]
IF y-0 THEN y=l:x=l [D4]
POKE store ,1 [6E]
s t ore=s tore-1 [ AA ]
GOTO 850 [69]
MODE 0 [B2]
FOR loop=store TO store+22 [09]
POKE loop.l [DE]
NEXT loop [E6]
. ■
[2A]
Page 56
Amstrad User February 199Z
1398
1399
1313
1193
927
990 POKE loop,255 [06]
1000 IF sname$= " " THEN 1020 [F2]
1010 SAVE snam©$ ,b, 1 2000 , store-1 1 960 [C5]
1020 CLS [85]
1030 M 2,1 [3E]
1040 p=10 [50]
1050 FOR t=l TO 640 STEP 4 [A9]
1060 PLOT t , 398 , p : DEAWR 0,-150: MOVER 0,-100:DRAWR 0,-180
1070 p=p+1:IF P =16 THEN p=10 [48]
1080 NEXT [04]
1090 p=10:CALL 10000 [04]
1100 INK p } l:CALL &BD19:CALL 10006 [50]
1110 INK p,0:p=p+l:IF p=16 THEN p=lO [36]
1120 GOTO 1100 [lA]
1130 DATA
1140 DATA CD6D27C921F47E36001 1F57E
1150 DATA 018007EDB03E80326F9D21DF
1160 DATA 2E226D9DC30C28DD21D08406
1170 DATA 0BC5DDE5213528115OO00E20
1180 DATA 06087EDD7700DD232310F7DD
1190 DATA 190D20FODDE1110800DD19C1
1200 DATA 10DB21010O224O9CC91120C3
1210 DATA 2188900620C5D.5015000EDBO
1220 DATA D1EB7CC808673O04O15OCOO9
1230 DATA EBC110E9C921D084ED5B409C
1240 DATA 191188903E20015000EDB001
1250 DATA 0800093D20F411F47E210893
1260 DATA OE1006501AFE002801 7 7 2313
1270 DATA 10F60D20F1C93A4O9C3DE607
1280 DATA 32409C21F57E11F47E010005
1290 DATA EDB021437FDD212D280E08ED
1300 DATA 5B6B9D1A473A6F9DA0FEO028
1310 DATA O3DD7E00D5115OOO06O27719
1320 DATA 10FOD113DD230D20E23A6F9D
1330 DATA 1F326F9DFE00C03E80326F9D, 1303
1340 DATA 2A6D9D23226D9D7EFEFF20O7 , 1317
1350 DATA 21E02E226D9D7E11080021F4, 1031
1360 DATA 9F471910FD226B9DC9F03CFC, 1575
1370 DATA 03FC3CF0F0CC88303O303064 , 1427
1380 DATA CCOC2000000000440COC2030 , 420
1390 DATA 303030640COC200000000044 , 368
1400 DATA OCOC2000000000440C302000 , 216
1410 DATA 000000443000000044880000,320
1420 DATA 000000008844000000080044,280
1430 DATA 000088000404008800004400,348
1440 DATA 080044000000000400008800,216
1450 DATA 000000080044000800000400,88
1460 DATA 888800040000080044000000,352
1470 DATA 080400000000000004000000,16
1480 DATA 000000000008000000000000,8
1490 DATA 080400000020000400000800,56
1500 DATA 101000080000040020000400,80
1510 DATA 000000100000080000000020,56
1520 DATA 000400200000100008080010,84
1530 DATA 000020000400000020100000,84
1540 DATA 000000001020000000CC8800 , 388
1550 DATA 00000044CCOC200000000044,384
1560 DATA OCOC2000000000440COC2030, 228
1570 DATA 303030640000200000000044,368
1580 DATA OC302O303O303O6430OO00OO.432
[AA]
[CC]
[B3j
im
[23]
[3D]
[8D]
1220 [51]
968 [4E]
1255 [F5]
1211 [80]
1799 [48]
911 [E4]
929 [B8]
610 [Dl]
1325 [C2]
1067 [6F]
123S [8F]
1232 [25]
812 [7E]
1349 [92]
[ 73 ]
[DO]
[C5]
[DF]
[A5 ]
2D]
13]
57]
F7]
IB]
32]
5E]
[68]
[BC]
[5C]
[65]
[2F]
[A3]
[05]
[8D]
[EF]
[E2]
[11]
[12]
Amstrad User February 1992
PageSJ
What is it really like to run a PD library? Alan Scully explains...
I~ n the majority of cases, PI) libraries
are set up as a quick way of making
_ money. It is therefore not surprising
to find that such libraries have often
closed within a few months. Why?
the work involved.
PD libraries are relatively easy to set
up; all yon need is a computer and
cassette deck or disk drive -111 presume
youVe got those already (otherwise
why would you be reading this
magazine??). Now you need some
software. Your first instinct will
probably be to send orders to the
established PD libraries, and by all
means do so. Remember one thing
though, y o u 're even tu ally go i ng to have
to attract custo mers, probably the same
so youVe not going to get very far if
your list is just made up from their
software! Therefore, while you're
waiting for software to arrive, and for
publicity (see later), write your own
programs - and loads of them! Once
you can then swap it with other libraries
to boost your range even more.
Alright, so youVe got your software
and you're ready to go - or are you?
YouVe going to need to produce a list
(catalogue) of your wares, how can
people order fro m you without knowing
what you have?! Decide on whether to
have your list photocopied (this can be
costly) or on cassette/disk (very time
consuming although much cheaper if
the customer supplies the disk) . It is at
this stage you will need to decide how
much to charge. Keep it as low as you
can, but not so low that you receive
more orders than you can possibly
handle! The 'average' copy charge for a
disk full of software (ie both sides) is
£l t however some libraries charge as
much as £6 (including disk)!!
Finally you Ve ready for the next step
- publicity. This is your last chance to
change your mind, so think carefully
before progressing any further. If you
do decide to go on (mo re fool you) then
take things slowly, It is a very bad idea
to go straight to the glossy magazines.
Both Am s trad Action and Am stead
Computer User write their magazines Artificial Intelligence are good starts
five/six weeks before publication , so if (see past issues of ACU for the
you do manage to get publicity' in both addresses, the address for CPC Domain
magazines (and because of the high
failure rate wi th new libraries § Q
this is very unlikely), you % *
could find yourself with
more orders than you
have time to do + TOO
LATE! It will be at least
two months before the
magazines can tell their
readers I hat you are
closed! So take things
easy, hit the fanzines
first - Print-Out,
Playmates, CPC
Domain and
amir VLUst
■ '."i V: illV: M V= V« = M ! -"s s.^ s i = « ^Vi V; Ll s : 5 V. : = V; ". = = ": = r : ■ ^5 : V: « LV: : ; L " = V : A = "s V : = - : = "* 5 : ;"= = - =
Page 58
Arnstrad User February 1992
is in this issue). After a few months in
the fanzines, place small ads in ACU
and AA- When the ads appear you
should find you will receive more orders
than before.
After about a month, it's time to make
the final decision - do you go for more
publicity? If the number of orders you
are receiving keeps you busy then the
answer is no P just keep with the fan zines
and placing small ads. If you feel that
you could handle a lot more orders,
and have the time to spare, then prepare
a press release with full details of your
library including prices, range, history
and how to obtain more details. Once
youVe done that send a copy to the
news pages of ACU and AA or send it
direct to Bob Adams on the PD Scene
if you want an overview of your wares.
I mentioned earlier that you only
need a really basic computer set up to
start a PD library and , wh ile this Is true,
if you do decide to continue running
the library it is advisable to expand as
soon as possible. If you're running a
cassette service invest in a first disk
drive, then using a suitable piece of
software, you can duplicate cassettes
by copying from disk (Gold mark
Systems provide a program called
TAPEDUM P which will do this). As
well as saving up to 50% of copying time
you'll also have access to much more
PD software, Hiere are very few (if
any) cassette PD libraries, any that do
start would have my full support
If you're running a disk service then
think seriously about buying a second
disk drive, they make life so much
easier! You can buy 15" drives for under
£70 these days, and I bought my 5.25"
drive for only £40 (using an MP2
modulator to power it!). You 11 also find
USEFUL ADDRESSES
GOLDMASK SYSTEMS
5! Comet Road
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL100SY
Suppliers of Nirvana and Tapedump
PMOTOUT
8 Maze Green Road
Bishop's Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2P}
Fanzine
PLAYMATES
37 Fairfield Way
Bamet
Herts ■
ENS 2BQ
Fanzine
CPC DOMAIN
119 Laurel Drive
East Kilbride
Glasgow
G75 9JG
Disk based famine
fcMiMMMMMMMMMMMb -
that 3-5" and 5,25" disks are so much
cheaper, helping to reduce your costs.
Also, if you're using Disckit for copying,
buya deee nt d i sk copie r , There are PD
copiers around, the best are the JL disk
copiers, however Nirvana will always
be the one for me. It's fast, available on
ROM and uses any extra memory that
you may have. Contact GOLD MARK
SYSTEMS for more details.
The final piece of hardware that you
should get is a printer. While it is not
essential that you have one it will come
in useful for letters, stock-lists and for
PD programs (eg Page maker Plus)
that require use of a printer. Any Epson
compatible printer will do, but it is best
to go for a &-pin (most PD programs are
written with 9-pin printers in mind and
so don't work properly with 24-pin
printers).
I hope this article has given you an
insight into the running of a PD library,
and if you've been thinking of setting
one up P 1 hope you will find it of some
use. Myself, I have been running a PD
library for two years, first on cassette,
then on disk 1 and now open only to
subscribers of CPC Domain. If you
need more help then please do not
hesitate to write to me, the address is
as per CPC Domain.
Good luck, you'll probable need it!
Artificial wtelij^ence
19 Lee Street ^
Littletown
WF15 6DZ
Fanzine
MEDIAVALUE
Windsor Business Centre
Vansittart Estate
Windsor
Berkshire SL4 1SE
Cheap disks plus disk labek, ddivtty
by return of post
ABLE-IABELS
Steeleprint Ud
Earls Barton
Northampton
NN6 OLS
Cheap sdf^dfresm printed labels* two
sizes available, the larger is ideal for
mesids of a disk, send SAE for samples
EXCHANGE AND MARX
from the newsagent!
Vital source far finding suppliers
of cheap cassettes, leaflet printers,
rubber stamps gta
Amstratt User February 1332
Page 53
■
The new Panasonic KX-PI 170 gets the ACU going over. Even Ziggy
could get to grips with this one.
-
111 this day and age, most of us must
be fairly conversant with the ins
and outs of printer usage- We
should all hopefully, know lhat paper
tractors don't necessarily mean
Origami plough pullers and, lhat
parallel ports aren't really dry docks for
sister ships.
That asi de , it is si i 11 a pleasant su tiiri se
to open up the packaging of your new
toy to find easily comprehendable and
speeds of up to 192 ops in draft, the P- the machine was not too far off these
1170 is certainly no slouch in Elite, figures, so print users requiring high
whilst the 38 cps offered in Near Letter speed output could do far worse than to
encounter with Panasonic's new 9-pin
beast, I he KX-P1170, should be a
positive delight coming, as it does, with
a simple quick reference guide, to hold
your hand during the setting up
process.
Compactness
The first thing that will probably hit
you is the machine's compactness,
Obviously, desk space is a major
consideration when purchasing a
printer and, with specifications of
425mm W X 340 D X 130 H t the P4 170
should fit snugly into most corners,
leaving you plenty of space to browse
through your operating instructions
and reference guide.
On top of the size, the machine
certain ly looks robust a nd p co n sideling
the amount of bashing it got in the ACU
office, it more than lives ud to
appearances, Ihe well-proven print
mechanism and construction making-
it ideal for prolonged use in the office,
or in educational institutions.
So much for first impressions. What
about the performance? Well with print
Quality is perfectly acceptable for a 9-
pin offering
These are the figures quoted by
Panasonic them selves, but in practice
take this beast on board.
Ergonomic design, a term more
frequently used in the manufacture of
joysticks, is also a feature of this squat
Amstratt User February 1992
print machine. What this means is I hat
all of the features have been specifically
dfevised for ease of usage. In other
words, the P-1170 is extremely user
friendly.
All of the opera ling controls are
situated within easy reach on either the
front, or the top of the machine,
in cl ud i ng fonts, pitch, form length , form
feed, line feed, hex dump, self test and
all of I he usual press button features of
the 9-pin world.
Convenience
For exlra convenience, the power cord
and printer cable are also situated well
out of the way of the paper paths, to
avoid unfortunate foul-ups.
Cutting an edge on the opposition is
becoming more an d more difficult these
days, with most 9-pins offering a vast
array of features as standard. The P-
1170 is certainly no exception, with
paper handling options comparable
with the more expensive machines.
work desk
layout
What, this
means is that,
for the busy
office, vou can
he feeding
continuous
paper from the
rear* label and
multipart
stationary from
the bottom and
single sheets
and envelopes
through the top
feed.
Not having to
disconnect your continuous paper
supply has its obvious advantages, while
the choices on offer allow for last minute
changes of plans as to your printing
requirements, without the hassle of
paper juggling,
The fonts included as standard with
the machine include draft, as well as
Courier, Prestige. Bold PS and Sans
Serif as the near letter quality offerings,
with print sises ranging from five to 20
cpi f along with proportional spacing.
According to the specs,, the
maximum amount of available styles is
as high as 3 T 400, created by a
comb inal ion of fonts, character sizes
and the enhancement modes such as
italics, double height, double strike,
emphasised, underline, subscript and
superscript.
Now, if any of you out there want to
sit down and put that to the lest, good
luck to you. I think I would prefer to
take it as read that there are possibly
more combinations than most users
would ever be able to make use of in
their daily routine of usage.
The graphics capabilities, at 240 X
216 dpi, are not the besl on the market f
working and extremely reliable
workhorse, The paper handling is
excellent, while the results are clean
and should really be seen lo be properly
appreciated.
Cutting edge
What gives Panasonic's new offering
that cutting edge, is probably its ease of
use. Every conceivable setting that you
might need to get yourself up and
running is clearly outlined and
illustrated on the quick reference guide,
i ncluding those bothersome dip-switch
settings which cause so much grief lo
novice users (see diagram).
So how much do you have to fork out
to acquire this style of printing
professionalism? Under £200. With a
recommended retail price of £199 plus
VAT, you should be able to pick up this
beauty for under the magic £200 mark
if you hunt around and, for that kind of
money, you will be gelling an awful lot
of power to your printing elbow.
The most dazzling piece of
machinery on the market it is not butt
f r"i ■*■ f ll n /\ "f ITrtll i"L i-l 4- 111 i-li J~t
the machine's capabilities and will not
affect your output to any extent.
Aft for compatibility, the P-1170
features both an Epson and an IBM
emulation, as with most printers on the
market In this instance, the emulations
are Epson FX-8fie/FX-800 and IBm
Proprinter 1T + making the machine
compatible with the great majority of
software packages on the market. On
the hardware end, the standard
Centronics parallel, optional RS232C
serial and Anpletelk interfaces give the
tX/i LlllJ?lt 1 1 L V i. Ph. I ILUL 111 LJICT J1LUJ C
advanced user group, you will be hard
put to purchase a machine with better
performance outlines to help you gel
the best out of your computer.
The P-1170 really is a doddle to use
and, if yon have been a little scared to
alter your sellings and see what else
you can achieve with your equipment,
then purchasing this beast should open
up new horizons for you.
You can park your paper, choose
from push or pull tractor for extra
versatility and feed from the top, the
back or the bottom, depending on your
P-1170 better compatibility than most
comparable offerings, and should cause
you no grief at all during the set-up
phase.
In short, having purchased the P-
1 170, you should have, sitting in front
of you, a no-nonsense, durable, hard-
So you want to run a Bulletin
Board System on a CPC do you?
Are you completely and utterly
mad? Of course you're not! Well to
run a BBS you need to get hold of
certain things!
(1) A computer. (I find a CPC 6128
works quite well!) You will also find
it an advantage to have a large capac-
ity 2nd drive le; a 3,5 S1 or 5.25" 80 track
B: Drive. Otherwise the BB that you
want to run will have to be a very
small one.
(2) A modem. Preferably a Quad
Standard one with speeds of 300/300
1200/75 1200/1200 24O0/24O0 (v21 p
23, 22, 22bis) The Amstrad SM240O
is a very good choice.
(3) A RS232 serial interface. (Note
only a PACE or CIRKJT model is
recommended.) Note that PACE
made serial interfaces for Amstrad so
an interface with Amstrad p s name on
it should also be okay, Please note
however that the KDS and SPECTRE-
CDMMS interfaces do not use the
correct port addresses that Amstrad
specify, and therefore will not work
with any of the following host pro-
grams.
(4) And last but not least, you need
a host program! At the moment there
are three main BB systems available
for the CPC range of computers*
maybe there are more than three, but
these are the ones that I am familiar
with! They are as follows:
(1) ROS {Remote Operating System) ■
(2) Bulldog.
(3) XRAS.
Of the above three only ROS and
Bulldog are worth bothering about
XRAS is a vert basic BB system and
has more than it's fair share of bugs!
There also used to be a BB system
called "Northern Lights' but I have not
heard anything of this software for
quite some time, so I assume that it
has fallen by the wayside, so to speak.
Both the above systems run under
Digital Research's deeply wonderful
CP/M operating system! As far as I
know, all the above programs need
CP/M Plus (also known as 3,1), so
that put's 464 owners at a disadvan-
tage - sorry! Of course you can still
run a BB on a 464 - but you will need
a disc drive, CP/M+, a 64K or bigger
memory expansion and a 6128 Chip,
Of all these, the 6128 Chip will be the
most difficult to get hold of.
Now for a more detailed descrip-
tion of the systems. In this article I
will concentrate on ROS p as it is the
system that I am most familiar with.
ROS is a Public Domain program that
comes from the USA. It was originally
written by Steve Fox for the CP/M
2.2 systems then running in the States
and was altered for use with the PCW
series of machines by Ron Touw in
the UK around about 1986. Since then
it has been drastically redesigned and
modified by Chris Smith, Bob Garbutt
and Bob Wilson among others, who
have turned it into a really good Bul-
letin Board system for the CPC and
PCW range of computers.
ROS is a Compiled turbo Pascal
program (Turbo Pascal is {c) Borland
International), as such it is a very
flexible program, and you can make
a very individual bulletin board sys-
tem from it - the Pascal source code
is just a series of Ascii files (called
INClude files because they all have
the file ext. of .INC) which you can
load into your word processor, and
alter them.
But beware - although Turbo Pas-
cal is a very easy program to use -
unless you have got your source code
exactly right - you are in for some
very interesting debugging sessions!
I have spent plenty of time hunting
bugs in ROS, and it is not something
I would recommend! It is generally at
this point that you start to wonder if
running a BB is a sane thing to do!
So therefore I would suggest that
you try and learn a bit about Pascal
before doing any major modifications
to ROS - I am not going to go into
a discourse on programming in
Pascal - I don't know enough
about it to start to tell you
how to program in it! Hav
ing said all this you don't
need to alter the default
source fdes if you
dont want to - it's
not compulsory!
Please note: If
you don't have
a copy of Turbo Pascal or if you don't
want to be bothered altering the
source code, then it is possible to get
a ready compiled version of ROS al
ready to run, all you need to do is to
contact a Sysop who is running a ROS
board and ask him or her if they win
compile a copy of ROS for you, most
of them will be happy to do so*
They will need a few details about
your BB. For instance what name you
are going to call your board and what
modem you are going to use with the
BB> with this information they will be
able to send you a copy of ROS all
ready to run! All you will need to do
is just alter the Menu and Text files
etc to suit your BBS.
The source code for the version of
ROS that I used on the CPC (v4,5) is
about 300K long, so you will need to
have a 3,5 ff 792K B; Drive to be able
to compile it; as you will also need
Turbo Pascal and its support files on
the same disc, which adds about an-
other I0OK to the total file-size. But
when it is compiled it comes down to
132K of files, these consist of the fol-
lowing: ROS.COM 44K, ROS.000 2K,
ROS.001 2K, ROS.002 2K, ROS.Q03
2K, ROS,004 16K, ROS.005 62K P
ROS.0G6 2K These are the main files
that you need to run the BBS.
Now apart from the COM files
mentioned above, you will also need
a lot of other files, which will contain
amongst others your BBS Menu files;
Text files that tell your users about
various things. Here is a list of them
along with a short description of their
function.
ARXECLEATXT - ARTTCLEZ.TXT
TTiese are the Article fiJes (also known
as Bulletins) and are just normal text
files, you would use
these for dis-
playing any
^ textthat
you
wanted
you r
across
Read on as Tony Walker gives
you the complete CPC
lowdown on BB operation.
Paga62
I
I
users to see - for instance: infbrma*
tion about the BB etc
BULU2Q0/nCT & BCLL3Q0.TXT
These are the Bulletin (Article) menus
which go with the AETICLEA -
ATRICLEZ files - as you can see there
are two versions for 300 baud callers
and 12/75 and above callers, The
reason for this is because when you
logon at 300BPS (Bits Per Second)
long menus scroll past V, R R Y.
slowly! And so the XXXX300-TXT files
only have short menus, and the
XXXX1200.TXT files have the normal
full menus.
FILE1200.T1CT & FILE300.TXT
These are the FUe area menus - again
there are two versions.
FILEHELP.T5iT This is the online
Help file for the Files menu.
INFOOhTXT - INF09.TXT These
are INFOrmation files. In each of the
menus (Main, Message and File)
there are numerical commands {0,1,2
Main - 3,4,5 Message - 6,7,8,9 File),
you can set these commands to dis-
play any text file you wish, the only
restriction being that the files have to
be called 1NFOO.TXT to INF09.TXT,
and that they have to be pure Astii
text ie, no control codes etc,
LOG.ROS This is the I^ogfile that
ROS writes for the Sysop t it contains
information about what every caller
has done on the boanl and it can make
for very interesting reading!
LOGF1200JXT & LOGF300.TXT
These are the LOGOFF Screens for
the BB T as before there are two ver-
sions for different baud rates*
WGN1200.TXT & LOGN300/DCT
These are the LOGON Screens for
the BB. These screens should tell the
caller all the things that he/she needs
to know about the settings they re-
quire to be able to logon okay. So
therefore you should state the maxi-
mum and minimum baud rates and
protocol that your modem supports
along with the times that the BB is
online. You can of course put a lot
more information in - but if you make
it too big, you will find that users get
annoyed!
MMN1200.TXT & MAINSOOTXT
These are the MAIN Menu Screens
for the BBS P this is the first menu
screen that users see and is the gate-
way to the rest of the BB. Below is an
example of my MMN1200.I7CT file.
You can of course set up your
menus in any way you want - but they
must contain all of the above com-
mands in the above example menu.
They can be changed - but you would
have to do it before ROS is compiled.
MAINHELF.TXT This is the online
Heip file for the Main Menu (Called
by the *# ? command).
MEDT120aiXT & MEDT300.TXT
These are the MESSAGE EDITING
menus and are displayed after you
have entered a message to someone.
They contain the commands that you
can use in the Message editor,
MESS12Q0/TXT & MESS300.TXT
These are the MESSAGE menus.
They contain all the commands that
you need to Read and Enter messages,
MESSHELF.TXT The online Help
file for the Message menu.
MESSAGE.ROS This is the File that
contains all the Messages on the BB,
it is a Random Access Binary file, so
you can't just load it into your word
processor and edit it! It is a good idea
not to let this file get too large, {use
the PURGE Command from the Sysop
menu) because if you do f you wit! find
yourself running out of disc space and
when that happens - ROS will stop
working! This usually happens in the
middle of the night - when you are
not there to take care of it!
NEWIN.ROS This is a list of Files
that have been uploaded to the BB,
but which have not been moved to
the correct file area by you,
NEWUSERTXT This is a Text file
that is displayed to Hew Users to the
system, this file should contain a pot-
ted history of the BB! Along with
some information about the Software/
Hardware that the BB runs on.
OTHERSTS.TXT This is a list of
other BB Systems for users to call -
of course none of the other boards
on the list are as good as YOUR BB!
ROaDEF This file contains all the
information that the BB requires for
its start-up procedure, it also contains
stuff like who was the last caller etc.
SECTIONitOS This is one of the
most important files in (he whole ROS
set up! This file contains all the Data
that ROS needs to setup the BB t
among the stuff in it are your File and
Message areas, the access levels you
want them to have and where on your
system they are to be situated,
MAIN MENU
(!) Yell for Sysop!
(F) Filing Menu
(U) Utility Menu
(I) Info-New-Users
(0) All about ROS
(#) Detailed Help (?) Display this Menu
(G) Goodbye/Logoff (M) Message Menu
(A) Article Menu (B) Bulletin
(1) SoapBox (3) Lo wer Phone Bills!
STATS, ROS This file contains m~
formation about the BB setup. This
file like MESSAGE.ROS is a Binary
file and so can*t be edited in a word
processor like niost of the files in ROS.
SUMMARY, ROS This is the sum-
mary of all the Messages on the BB
- it contains details of users last read
pointer a etc. This file along with
MESSAGEROS can be quite large in
size and therefore they should both
be purged every day to get rid of
deleted messages,
SYSBUL12JXF & SYSBUL3.TXF
These are Text files containing any
News or Gossip that you want your
users to see, the files are displayed
after the LOGN1200/TJCT &
LOGN300.TXT files, so the user can f t
miss seeing them!
SYSMGSJtOS This contains text
that is used at logon, if the users name
can't be found by the CPC from the
USERDAXROS file.
SYSP1200 & SYSP30imX These
are the Sysop Menus, this is where
all the power is! Here you can be God!
You can edit users, delete users, turn
them into frogs and do various other
things with them!
UEDRT1200.TXT & UEDT300.TXT
This b where your users can alter all
the defaults that the BB gave them
when they first logged on* They can
change to the Expert menu where
only a very short menu is displayed,
they can also change their password,
telephone number and address details
etc.
USERDAT.ROS This file contains
all the information that the BB needs
to identify users at logon, it also
contains their names and addresses,
USERIDX.ROS This is the userlist
of ihe BB. fins file along with
USERDAT.ROS is checked at logon
against the details that the user enters
at the logon prompt.
UTIL1200.TXT & UTIL 300.TXT
These are the Utility Menus, here a
user can find out various bits of infor-
mation about the BB, like the current
time and date and the version of ROS
in use, they can also get a list of all
the users on the BB etc.
l/riLHELRlXr This is the online
Help for die Utility menu.
The above text covers a lot of
running details of ROS, if you would
like more information about running
a Bulletin Board on your CFC, please
feel free to call my BBS - PRESTON
ROS - on 0772 652212 - 24 Hours.
There is also a newer version of
ROS just about to be released. I hope
to be able to bring you more details
about this in a later issue.
The Sysop 1
Amstrad User February 1392
Page 63
Services
For Sale
AMSTHA.D C PCS 12Bwi:h colour monitor, loads
gF hardware and software. Worlh over E1 700.
Will split Phone 0324 25*606 for free price list,
CHEAP Amsfrad Dame* Far Bale on lape.
Games l*.e Robcrap and Last Nlnja 2. For a full
list, send a SAE to Chac Hau Lam, 7 Maple
Grove, Newark, Nolrs 4NS.
FOR SALE AGU magazines from February
1*EB En November 1691. Only Auftusl 1990
missing Any reasonable offers accepted. Write
to Stephen Mud-dull. 3 BfitfhiU Road,
EasSbourns-, East Sussex BN2£ 7JH-
CPCS126 colour monitor, joystick and games
including Robocop, TuMle*. Castle Masler.
Slunftt&r Racer. Shadow Dancer and kite more.
Tape lead, an studio, mouse, sight pnaser
£269, Ring James on C303 746253,
81 23 Educational Study Aids- lor GCSL and A
Level English - Hamlel and Maoneihr discs
£7.50 each. Telephone Ofl9£ 543360.
FOR SALE Prated word processor on tape. Ail
in its original packing and with Ortpjnal manual
Price £15, Including PfcP. If interested, write or
pnpne.. Mr M. Manning, 9 S1*arloififi Slreel
Earlsfletd, Wandsworth, London SWi£ 4HH
061 947 0531.
FOR SALE Amslrad CPC464 colour monitor.
Joystick, over 100 games Je, Shadow Warrior*,
TuTtroOijtrunainrJKick-CMf II. Magazines, £l&0
two. Phone 021 423 3&7i and ask lor Mailt,
PAGEMAKER DhIukh DTPl&r612SL*64+64k
fleviewad AA73 pg 22/23 - "Cheap bul ihh
nasi/ 1 , verdict 95%. Amazing ^alue for only £5
Inclusive. SSAE lo* details to CPC Domain,
1 19 Laurel Drivy Eajsi Kilbride, Glasgow G75
AMSTRAD'Sindair computef chips. RAMt,
ROMs, ULAs etc. Also V30 CPUs, All brand
new Los1 interest in hobby. Phone 1or Full lis-l
Irpm Graham Bburrte art 0793 824B91.
AMX ART mouse, mouse ma!, multi-face II, 13
games on disc including Eaiman. Bloadw^eh-,
Sterajlider. IS games on tape. Over W mags.
Wofin £300+, will sell Ci50- Phone 0745
5930 1S,
ACU All issues from Jan t98? to December
1990- Offers? New and _nused JY3 Efi. MP2
£20. MP3- £25 plus P&P. Telephone Storrinotan
(0903)746744.
CPCG128 with colour monilof. JoysticK,
DMP£000 printer, games and word processing
software. Exoallent workmg COrtdifton, £300.
Telephone Q27G7t 124.
SIREN 3,5" diso drive (or CPC612B, plus
Ramdos and 3.5" u:ili1ies disc. Cost £l3Q, will
selt (of £70 pius postage. Telephone 0c294
79229. (Also various soltwajfu-, Supencalc
TasS+gn, Mini-Office £, MFU.)
CPC *B4 Colour +MP3, lighr gun, Chee^n
125, joystick and lots o J games, including
Op.Woll. Hard Drlvln', Double Dragon and
more Ideal X- Was present worth £550. Will sell
For £250. flinfl 9443 813961 after 4pm.
FOR SALE Over 70 Amslrad computer aames,
mint condition cassette based. For list send
SAE to Steven Fa*terson r 13 Cedar -Street,
Dunbar. Easl Lothian, Scotland EH42 1 PX.
AMSTRAD BUSINESS discs :Gfrrwal Ledger
61 28 lor book keeping. C2C as new. Page
Publisher Extra £20. Phone 031 B03 3414.
A FilSTR A □ 0PC464 with g'een screen mpmlor.
Qver 150 games, mouse, speech sv'riChesiSer
andinghlpen. Worth over £500. Only £299 ono.
Phone 0352 741 14S after 6pm.
FOR SALE Wultiface 2 El». MP2 Modulator
£20. DKTrqmcs. lightpefi £10. Pnone 093?
242B42 evenings ansaphone.
AM3TF3AD Colour monitor £75. TV Receiver
E40. Modular £15, Lig ntGun * $ games £20.
Licjhtpen £" C. MultiFacu 2 E25. 46* keyboard
not working £M ono. Telephone 081 879t .
Wants/Swaps
HAS ANYONE got Slop Press and AMX mouse
on disc to sell for £20. flomroorom box, KDS a-
tn1 printer port and a de-cable drive swiScher for
£1 Q each. Phone rjarren on 03432 BC4730al1er
F3pm.
DOES ANYONE have a copy ol G AC 1o$ell or
swap. Must be on tape. Contact Nell Padgett,
46 Oak Drive- Norfnway, Tewkoabury, GJoa
GL20eOW.
WANTED Pools Master proa: with manual for
GPC464. Contact A Sheldon. 6 Kirk-stead
Gardens. Nottingham NG75EJ. fQ&D27fiQ202).
WANTED Cotaur monitor forCPC61 23. Phone
Gerald Leiceelef 0533 G73492.
WILL SWAP either Golcen Axe, Vendetta or
Dick Traoey forefther Sh ariow Dancer, Shadow
Warriors or Dragon Nmja. Send with SSAE to
D. Barry, 2 Linden Avsnue, Weflington, Telford,
StiropshireTFI 1QR.
EXCHANGE gemes and utllllles. Would like
GoH and Flight simulators. Write for more nFo
eq Mr S . Jackson, 1 56 West Street, Dunstable,
BeoTsLJ6 INK,
WILL SWAP Operation Thundeftiofl (disc) for
P-47 Thunderbolt or FRorjgcon. Dflscs only
pleass . Please conlacl Gerry Gavin , Judefiham,
Mullingar, County We&lmeath, Ireland.
WANTED oiol computer hard ware, any
condition. Monitors, keyboards, printers-,
joysticks, discs, modems, leads. Small price
considered. PaP p^jri, Send details ic- Mr D,
Littlewood, 33 Clay Flat! Lane, RosSlngton,
Ooncasler, S. Ywks DN1 1 0AZ.
WANTED CPC6 1 SB computer witnout moniror
or any haroTware 1or CPC4S4+. Anjrthinnj
considered - Will pay P&P loi anyfJiing bought.
Conlad David Smy^e, 14 Loughgall hardens,
MonKslown, Newtownabbay, County ArUrirTi,
N. Ireland witn pnce.
WANTED interiaee. Also fi1£3
memory expansion id maJke 256K Dust covers
lor 61 23. Contact Scot! Vkkmy on 0£53.e^&e96
afvter 4pm. If possible modem needed Jor
R3232C interlace.
DIZZY SOLUTIONS tor CNziys 1 , 2, 3 and 4,
including maps. £1 each or £3.5C- 1or ai Four.
Sand an SAE to lain Rtevlll, 43 Paddoch. Close,
Calvertoii, Notts NGi* 6EJ.
CHEAP ADS ? penpais, swaps, 1or sales,
lanzinet etc send two second tflass stamps for
detaiteloD- L. O'Glesby, 5^ Springfield Street,
New Basloid. Nottinariam NG7 7DU.
HELP GIVEN on Dizzy's 14, Fast Food, Kwik
Snaa and Panic. 5Dp each. Wnite to M . FacjOne,
29 Elizabeth Avenue,. Milton ot Campsie,
Glasgow G65 flKT Tor lull list or send money it
help wanied.
I WILL CREATE a quality loading screen For
any game you have wrftien. Tape only. -Send
75p, SAE, Game on tape and blank tape to Joe
Walters. 8 Chater Road. Oakham, Leics LEI 5
£RY.
PROGRAM to list 5404 multiface pokes. Cnoice
of output to screen or printer. Send blank disc,
£1 end SSAE to Stephen Muadeil, 3 Bexhlll
Road, Eastbourne, Suase* Bm2 7JH,
H ELP OFFE R ED on a I aspects Ol HAS IC and
assembry language programming. Don'l forget
Id s&nd an SSAE, Sean McManus, 226
Cnensey Rise, Stevenage, Herta SQ2
CONVERT yOu\ 4E4 to 6126. K&ep 464
equipment and buy prooiama. Both wilt
work. Microchip conversion carried out. All you
need is disc drive. Example Strjp Press DTP on
464. Contort fl. J. Amison , 5€ Drubberv Lane,
Burton, Stc** on Trenfl ST3-4BH. 0?E£ 31 854iS,
I HAVE STARTED A BUSINESS \v OHCL-le
who r&quire tailor made programs rot ad CPCs.
Also, does anyone have a Firmware Guide lor
tne 4G4 io lend? Contact Mr Ktannrng, 9
S-eerfanh Street, Wandsworth. London SW18
4HH.
WOW SOFTWARE is a company selling new
and re-released adventure games tor ibe CPC
Senn BAE for ire latest Its! fo 78 Radipole
Lane, Way mouth, Dorset OT4 SRS.
AMSTHAD COMPUTER PARTS available 10f
the entire range. Plus many computer
accessories available. Just call me or write to
4. Hayward, 53 Eny Roud. C^:Ji1' 0F5 ?JF.
0222 5S4369.
FREE lor CPC range. A helpline to solve your
CPCoroolems Softwa,re- hardware and games
covered. Wrisa enclosing SAE to Chns Williams.
6 Frank SlreeL Great Hofton, Brad lord BD7
3BT.
KEYPRESS cheats for over 50 «gamea r 50p
each or E3 iho loi. Also a! lormal cheai book
£3. Sand SSAE la Rhys Evans, £9 VanJie
Road. Clydach, Swansea, Wales SAG 5LU.
GAMES DISC insm strategy 1c- shcot-em-ups.
GreatgraphicsandplayafjiJiiyinMCDde. £2.50
if you supply disc or Kevin Hey wood , 1 3
Sinclair Avenue. Bsnbury. Qxpn OXl & 7DW.
Fanzines
NEW FANZtNE far the Amslrad and C-64 tape.
We will review PD so please send any PD and
oiher software For review :c R. Stedman. 8
WuHruna Gardens, Flncnfield, Wolverhampion
WVS 5HZ.
CROCO+ The European fanzine tor the
Amslrad S12B is herd! 72Cfc or h-inis, tips,
reviews, pokes and interviews. Please send a
3" dt&c, E1 and /SSAE to Song Vow Ly^ &
Wooderson Close, South Norwood, London
SE25 6JP.
LFACC PHINT-OUT P ohea1s, Beginners pagee.
competitions, PD, M^&aslo r adverts, picture
pages, gossip, reviews etc. Only 7-Op. Add20p
if overseas. Ales Banks, Tickeywood.
Crapstone, Yelverton, Devon P120 7PW. Tel:
ADVENTURERS HERALD Ourt now, witli
news, reviews and just about anything io do
will adveniure Only SOp irom PO Box 52E.
Tweedaie TeMord, Shrgpsjhire. Anv budding
reviewer please get In louch
CPC FANZINE called Play Mates. Full of
reviews, tips, pokes and Bonze news. With
P&P just £1. CbjI Surrey, 37 FairiralrJ Way,
Barnet, Herts ENS 260
A OK Fanzine. Includes ^eaiu res. reviews, type-
ins, small projects ar d more. Surd 6Cj (indudes
P&P) to Paul Escott, 31 Colebrooke Road.
Shirley, SolhhuU, West Midlands BSD 2LB.
CPC DOMAIN Tne only monthly magazine for
serious CPG users. Or y E1.Z5 ever 4-Drn
packed pages , &csf ™mh subscription lof £7.50.
CPG-Doitiain, 11 9 Laurel Drive. East Kilbmde,
Glasgow G75 90G.
Penpals
DOES ANYBODY who &ves in 1he K rktaldy,
Frfe areawant to come along to my house in the
Gleoe Part'BaulsiJsney Road area to share
programs and games?Contact Ross Anderson,
" 2 rviana Slreel. Kirkcaldy. File, Scotland.
CPC PENPALS wanted to swap games on
cassette only lor Ihe 464. Also demo lapes, SO
send your lisls to Ivlafthew Glover, i£ Game*,
Street. Afrastan, Derby DE2 3PT.
PENPALS WANTED to swap games and
demos on disc Any age, any country. Help
given on new and old games. Wrile-fo Richard
Wlldey, 41 Enmore Gardens. London SW14
8AF.
r
COMPUTER USSR
BITS TT MiCB
Please send coupon to ACU, 116-1 20 Goswell Road, London EC1 V 7QD. Please place
this ad in the next available space in Bits ( n 1 Pieces.
NAME
ADDRESS
DAYTIME TELEPHONE No,
The cost of 1-30 words inclusive is absolutely
FREE for private ads in Bits.
For the Pieces section, just fill in a brief outfine ot
your program and let ACU do the rest.
L
Page 84
i
Amstrati User February 1992
1
1
IfEBI
Look out for the excellent addition to the new ACU disc/tape service.
THE ACU ASSEMBLER
Here it is t the all-new ACU Machine Code Assembler, put together, after months of hard grafting, by the fair hands of
our very own Doctor Simon Watson.
For the amazing price of just £5, you can have the two programs, ACUASM and ASM CODE, on disc to help you
unravel the mysteries of CPC programming for good. For just £4, tape users can do exactly the same, so get writing and
get your copy soon.
The hill instructions for this brilliant program are laid out for you this month in TTie Techie Bit, although instructions
will also be included with the disc/tape when you buy it
Remember, when you purchase an ACU disc/ tape from the Pieces section, there is also an exclusive blank disc oiler
thrown into the bargain. Basically, if you want value for money, then fill in your coupons below, now.
now*
Please send me a copy of Learn Amstrad
Basic the Easy Way by Glycar Computing on
disc/tape (delete where applicable)
I enclose £12.95 for the disc
I enclose £10-95 for the cassette
Name .** «« m *
Address *
****************** *4*****t********+*4***************************
***,*4***m + ******rrv4*4m*r* ****************** ******** ************
Please make all cheques/POs payable to
DGC Software.
Send this coupon to: DGC Software, 12
Stone Croft, Eccleshill, Bradford. BD2 2HW.
Please send me a copy of Money Master by
Glycar Computing on disc/tape (delete where
applicable)
1 enclose £12.95 for the disc
I enclose £10.95 for the cassette
Name
Address . *
*
l4*4<iMII*iiMMl*tiliiillltlillll4lllillllt1lllll4#*illlll**il
Please make all cheques/POs payable to
DGC Software.
Send this coupon to: DGC Software, 12
Stone Croft, Eccleshill, Bradford. BD2 2HW,
Please send me a copy of Easydraw 2 by
Glycar Computing on disc/tape (delete where
lica
I enclose £12,95 for the disc
I enclose £10.95 for the cassette
Name
i\d dress * * * ■ ***##■!»#*# ******* ***********
Please send me a copy of ACU Machine
Code Assembler on disc/tape (delete where
applicable)
I enclose £5 for the disc
I enclose £4 for the cassette
Name
Address
Please make all cheques/POs payable to
DGC Software,
Send this coupon to: DGC Software, 12
Stone Croft, Eccleshill, Bradford. BD2 2HW.
Please make all cheques/POs payable to
DGC Software.
Send this coupon to: DGC Software, 12
Stone Croft, Eccleshill, Bradford. BD2 2HW.
Amstrad User February 1992
Page 65
PROTON SOFTWARE
CALL FOR SPECIAL OFFERS. HOTLINE 0462 851855
AM S TRAD TOP 60
CASS
DISC
Addicted To Fun
£7.93
£11.99
Back To The Futures £7,99
£11.91
Super Heroes
£10.95
£14.90
Super Space
£12.9$
Invaders
£7.9&
Filfightef
£7.93
£12.99
Socc&r Stars {Com pi) £9.39
£13.99
Shoe PeodIb
£7 99
£11 99
Chart Attack
£«.«
£14.99
Spac& Crusade
£7.99
£11.99
Famous Five
£6.99
£11.99
Super Cars
£7.99
£11.99
Dizzy Collection
£7.99
Turtles
£8 35
£12.99
Big Box
£12.99
Ultimate Collects
£11.99
£15.99
Fun School 3 [All
Ages)
£9.99
£12.99
Fun Sciioof 4 (All
Ages)
E9.9S
£12,99
The Simpsons
TBA
TBA
Golden Axe
£7.99
£10.99
Sim City
£9.99
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Man United
£7,99
£11.99
Men Utd- Europe
£9.99
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Hollywood Coll.
£11.99
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RJc*. Dangerous 2
£7.99
£11.99
janes Bond CoH.
£1199
£14.99
Mini Office 2
£11.99
£1&.99
Thunderjews
£7.99
£12.99
Pop Up
£199
£11.99
Prince of Persia
£7.99
£11.99
Lotus Eaprite
£7.99
£11.99
SWIV
£3.99
£13.99
World Chemp Soccer £7.99
—
Be-er W avis (12-161
£3.99
—
Belter Maltis 1 (12-1&) -
12.99
Better Spelling |9-14J £S.99
£12.99
Donald Alphabet
Cnase
£3.99
£11.99
Cool Croc Twins
£7.99
£11.99
irt. SpcrlChall.
TBA
TBA
Blues Brothers
£7.99
£11.99
Realms
TBA
TBA
Double Oregon II
TBA
TBA
3D Construction Kit £18.99
£1B.99
Oarnm&n
£7.99
£11.99
Grandstand
£10.99
£14.99
Heraques:
£7.99
£11.99
Virtual Worlds
£10.99
£14.99
North and South
mm
£12.99
Final Flghl
£3.99
£12.99
Swap
£ J '.99
Supef Semi Pack
£12.99
£16.99
Roto Zone
£7.99
£11.99
Movie Premiere
Comp
£10.99
£14.99
Capcon Collection
£12.99
£18.99
Gun$nip
£11.99
£14.99
Kick OH 2
£7.99
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RBI 2
£7.99
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Switchblade
£7.99
£11.99
F1 5 Strike Eagle
£7,99
£11.99
F16 Combat Pilot
£10,99
£1i9S
SPECIAL OFFERS
CAPTAIN BLOOD Aoistrad Disk
TEENAGE QUEEN Amatrad Disc
£3,99
£3.99
ALL OROERS SEND TO" PROTON SOFTWARE.
1 11 T STATION RD k SUITE 1, LOWER STONOON, BEDS,
SG16 6JA. TEL 0462 051055 FAX 0462 351833
JACKSON COMPUTERS LIMITED
JOIN OUR DISCOUNT CLUB!
Life membership far £8.50
Soft ware/ Hard ware Discounts of up to 1 5% off RRP.
All AM ST Ft AD and other leading makes of software available.
Complete' computer system, printers, modems, cables.
Amstrad 464 Plus with colour monitor ...... £1 99.99
Am sir ad 6128 Plus with colour monitor £249.99
PCW8256/9512 £339.5B/£457.08
Amstrad PCW 951 2 With Sheet Feeder . . . , . £51 5,83
PC30O0 and 4000 Range Ring for details
Laptop Computers * - + . . Ring for details
All pri^S include VAT.
Al&n freo Life membership when yau purchase any 4S4/6128 +
PCW AMSTRAD computer . Tel: between 9am -5pm OBI 655 1610
i ii i jujij Se nd fo r fu J I pri ue \ ist and me mbersh i p form to: m i>
¥fSA 26 Spring Lane, Wood side, South Norwood
London SE254SP
i
SD MICROSYSTEMS
DRIVE
Complete ready -to- go package f
Attractive slimline TEAC unil
Measures only 7 x 4 x V high
Simple plug-in D.I.Y. fitting
Ideal 2nd drive for 46 4/6128
Quiet and economical in use.
FREE Siarter Pack of 5 disks!
FREE High-Capacity formatter!
Fully guaranteed for One Year
Add £4.50 posl/packini (UK) or
delivery
PAGE PUBLISHER .. T .„.™.^ + £24 H 95
Machine -coded DeskTop publisher for
thr 612ft or expanded 464, Processes
text arjd graphics.
PICTURE ph t>. 1.. .....f \2 .50
Hundreds of PD clip-art picture fur
Page Publisher/ Stop Press. (Please
state which program)
DISC "BASE ., r .< + rH""H *!«■»■■»■•■■ "■■■■■■■fl 2^50
Au turn atic ally creates & maSltr
database of all your disks and finds
files in under a second!
Many other practical programs
and utilities available for home
and small business use.
* £7 Mexi-Day courier
* Allow 7 days on cheque qrders. Add £1 pJp on software: orders.
Note: We guarantee to despatch yotir order promptly reliably
Send Cheques, POs or SAE Tor current catalogue to (DEPT AM}
SD MICROSYSTEMS, P.O, BOX 24. HOI BEACH, LINCS. Tel: (0406) 32252
ADVERTISERS INDEX
AMSTRAD
BOXOFT 66
BRUNNING SOFTWARE . . , 3
COMPUTING PLUS 26
DATEL ELECTRONICS IBC
DUNNING COMPUTERS 45
FMG .OBC
FUN FACTORY PROMOTIONS 45
GVS BAGSFORM 26
JACKSON COMPUTERS 66
MINDSCAPE IFC
MJC SUPPLIES 8
OJ SOFTWARE 13
PROTON SOFTWARE 66
ROMANTIC ROBOT 28
SCHOOL SOFTWARE 28
SD MICROSYSTEMS 66
SILICASHOP 17
SOFTWARE CITY 9
TRADE IN POST ,66
WAVE 40
Amstrad MP3 Modulator/TV Tuner, use with
CTM 644 £29-99
Amstrad MP2 (6128} Modulator/Power Supply.. £19.99
Amstrad MPT (464) Modulator/ Power Supply £14.99
Add £4.00 for postage and packing
AH orders sent by return: Cheque/Visa/Access
Trade-in-Post, Victoria Road,
Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8AF.
Tel/Fax: (0952) 462135
Trade enquiries welcome
ONLY POOLS AND HORSES
FOOTBALL BOXFOHM Wnllen by ? former pool* expert for LiMawOOdS. Th#
Li-cgr-am has forecast aver 50% more draw* lnan would be expensed by chance.
Homes, flwa/s and draws sfiown m older of merit and true odds given for wsry
jnatch. Merit tables show bi a glance the teamt curranliy m form and ihose having b
lean spell. Australian Pools program included in the prce.
SUPER PLANNER &y 1he asms author. Full dilaiEs g^en of OVER *M ENTRIES
covering uo la 57 s&lecilons. Includes SINGLES * MULTIPLE entrias or LIT PLANS,
V-PLANS, EXPRESS, MAIL A MIRROR PLANS, FULL PERMS ate. All arft FULLY
CHECKED in seconds by your computer.
RACI NG bQxfOhm speedily produces an order of merii for each rae*. Dssign&d iot
rieK biiity allowing users to amend the program il they wIsfL Price still includes the
highly acclaimed HANDICAP WINNER - more than 1000 winners every year - flvftr
25% oi Ehem at 5/1 or better.
PRICES Hape or diikl £ 1 3.95" for one:JL29.£5 any two: £39.95 ell three
F OOTBALL TOOL KIT Football Box!orm. Super Planner and a Flanner type program
cohering Little woods block perms.....£34.ij5
RACING TOOL KIT Racing Bo » form plus 4 further programs whicn enable you to
keep your Own records or produce- and amend form and time rHling*.....£34.S5
FREE WITH EVERY ORDER A program to work Out almoal any Set.
Please make Ch ec u us Or Postal orders payable tc BOXOFT
SPECTPUW^
eOXOFT, Allan* MMtfOW, Wetlen, $outh Wirral LS4 B5Q Twl: C5l43B-2ee&
66
Amstrad User February 1392
TOTAL MOUSE/
PHIC3 PACKAGE
FOR YOUR
AMSTRAD
AT A TRULY
UNBEATABLE
\ PRICE!!
ADVANCED ART STUDIO
• Ganius Mouse is a high resolution two button mouse featuring optic si counting, teflon guides,
micro switches, rubber coated ball and high quality Interlace.
4 When combined with OOP Advanced Art Studio this graphics package is quite simply the best
system available. The features are unmatched...
• Create an image ■ shrink it, expand it. move it, rotate it, copy JL colour it etc. , £tc.
• Spray patterns or shades, make elastic lines - stretch and manipulate shapes.
• Zoom in to add detail in fine mode. • Ful] «ut and paKte facilities plus exceliem printer support.
• Pulldown/Icon driven menus for ease of use. # Mouse operation, plus joystick Bind keyboard control,
• 16 pens, 8 sprays, 16 brushes ■ so flexible anyone can create superb graphics easily.
COMPLETE WITH MOUSE INTERFACE
• The Genius Mouse Graphics
System corner complete with the
^>ecial Mouse Interface to allow
super smooth control.
• Attractively styled to match
your 464 or 612£ design and
colour. Simply plugs into
Expansion /Joystick port.
ONLY
TOTAL PACKAGE
INCLUDES GENIUS MOUSE,
INTERFACE, OCP ADVANCED ART
STUDIO PLUS FREE MOUSE MAT
AND HOLDER
FREE!
MOUSE MAT AND
MOUSE HOLDER
(WORTH €12.99)
WITH EACH PACKAGE
LC 20
LOUR PRINTER PACKAGE
HOW YOU CAN PRINT OUT YOUR PICTURES IN FULL COLOUR!
• The Star LC2QO Colour Printer not only prints in Nfear LcLter Quality for your regular Jobs but also
prints out your pictures from Art Studio, etc., in genuine colour!
• LC200 is a full Centronics printer so il works with other computers (Amiga. ST. etc,),
• Made possible by Datel's unique colour printer driver * now you can have a hardcopy In up to 16
colours!! ft No more to buy - just plug in and print ?1
PACKAGE INCLUDES... STAR LC2QO COLOUR PRINTER RRP £233 .00
CENTRONICS PRINTER LEAD RRP
DATEL COLOUR PRINTER DRIVER SOFTWARE RHP Ef 9.3ft
NORMALLY £327.98
COMPLETE PACKAGE NOW ONLY £239.00
COLOUR PRINTER DRIVER AVAILABLE SEPARATELY ONLY £1 9.99
• Tf you already have an LC 10 or LC 200 Colour Printer we can supply the Driver separately r
HOW TO G ET YOUR OIW EH FAST!
TELEPHONE [24HrsJ l ii V*LL'rFT} CREDIT CARD ORDERS
m
ORDERS NORMALLY DISPATCHED WITHIN 48 Hrs. ALL CHEQUES POSTAL ORDERS MADE PA VAS"LE TO . ■
0ATEL ELECTftOM/CS I m
GOV AN ROAD, FEMTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, FENTON, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST4 2RS, ENGLAND.
FAX 0782 744292 TECHNICAL/CUSTOMER SERVICE 0782 744324
AMS MSE 3
Amstrad
Repairs
If something is wrong with your
Amstrad C PC or PCW, who better to
turn to than the National Repair Centre.
For all repairs to your computer, one low
payment covers diagnosis, repair
(including parte and labour) and delivery
back to you.
And, as a special bonus, you can receive
a free piece of software if you contact us
before 2nd February 1 992.
The experience and expertise of our
technicians ensures that your computer
is repaired to the highest standard at the
lowest cost. And each repair will be
carried out within 12 working days!
To schedule a repair and claim your free
software, simply call Michelle or Audrey
on 0733 391234.
Please be ready to give your name,
address, computer type, serial number
and the type of fault.
The costs are:
£57.45
£57.45
£85.00
£86.00
£115.
CPC464-
CK6128-
PCW8256 -
PCW8512-
PCW9512-
All prices are inclusive of VAT, and
payment can be made by cheque, postal
order or credit card.
And remember, if you call before
2nd February 1 992 r you can claim a
FREE piece or software.
The National
Repair Centre
0733 391234
FMG House
Newcombe Way, Orton Southgate
Peterborough PE2 05F
ONE PRICE
COVERS
ALL R
